Emefiele: Plea bargain likely as lawyers, defendant’s absence stalls N6.9bn trial
There are indications that the suspended Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, and his co-accused, Sa’adatu Yaro, may have opted for a plea bargain arrangement to settle with the federal government.
The duo, alongside a company, April 1616 Investment Limited, purported to belong to Yaro, were to be arraigned before Justice Hamza Muazu on a fresh 20-count charge bordering on alleged breach of procurement laws.
The embattled CBN helmsman is facing trial over an alleged N6.9 billion procurement fraud before an FCT High Court sitting in Maitama Abuja.
If found guilty, he could spend up to five years in jail.
“Any public officer who uses his office or position to gratify or confer any corrupt or unfair advantage upon himself or any relation or associate of the public officer or any other public officer shall be guilty of an offence and shall on conviction be liable to imprisonment for five years without an option of fine,” the law stipulates.
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