EFCC yet to reach plea agreement with ex-air chiefs

The Federal High Court in Lagos Wednesday heard that former
Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu, is yet to reach a
plea bargain agreement with the Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission (EFCC).

Justice Mohammed Idris adjourned the case until March 27.

Prosecuting Counsel Mr Rotimi Oyedepo told the judge that no
“concrete” agreement had been reached.

“We’ve not reached any concrete agreement that is acceptable to
the complainant. We’re here with our witness and we’re ready to go
on with trial,” he said.

Amosu’s lawyer Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN) said everything was
in EFCC’s hands.

“For now, we leave it in their hands to see how we proceed,” he
said.

He had earlier hinted the court that the talks were
progressing.

However, Oyedepo agreed with the judge’s suggestion that the
case be adjourned in view of other pending cases in court.

The witness, an ECCC Investigation officer, Tosin Owobo, who was
about to enter the box to give evidence, eventually did not
testify.

Justice Idris also vacated today’s date which also earlier fixed
for the trial.

Amosu, former Nigeria Air Force (NAF) Chief of Accounts and
Budgeting, Air Vice Marshal Jacob Adigun and a former Director of
Finance and Budget, Air Commodore Olugbenga Gbadebo were arraigned
before Justice Idris but pleaded not guilty.

They were accused of diverting about N21billion NAF funds, but
they pleaded not guilty.

An initial plea bargain talks with EFCC broke down after they
reportedly refunded some money to the Federal Government.

At the last hearing, EFCC’s lawyer, Nnaemeka Omewa, who stood in
for Oyedepo, told the court that the defence team was in talks with
the commission towards reaching a plea bargain agreement.

“My lord, the defence team met with the prosecution and has
proposed terms of settlement. We are still on it, but we are also
ready to go on with the trial of the accused persons”, Omewa
said.

Ayorinde confirmed that talks were ongoing, but he sought an
adjournment to allow parties conclude with discussions.

“It is true that parties have met. It is also true that terms
have not been fully perfected. Therefore, parties will be willing
to come back before the court to report the outcome of our
discussions,” he said.

The Federal High Court in Lagos Wednesday heard that former
Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu, is yet to reach a
plea bargain agreement with the Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission (EFCC).

Justice Mohammed Idris adjourned the case until March 27.

Prosecuting Counsel Mr Rotimi Oyedepo told the judge that no
“concrete” agreement had been reached.

“We’ve not reached any concrete agreement that is acceptable to
the complainant. We’re here with our witness and we’re ready to go
on with trial,” he said.

Amosu’s lawyer Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN) said everything was
in EFCC’s hands.

“For now, we leave it in their hands to see how we proceed,” he
said.

He had earlier hinted the court that the talks were
progressing.

However, Oyedepo agreed with the judge’s suggestion that the
case be adjourned in view of other pending cases in court.

The witness, an ECCC Investigation officer, Tosin Owobo, who was
about to enter the box to give evidence, eventually did not
testify.

Justice Idris also vacated today’s date which also earlier fixed
for the trial.

Amosu, former Nigeria Air Force (NAF) Chief of Accounts and
Budgeting, Air Vice Marshal Jacob Adigun and a former Director of
Finance and Budget, Air Commodore Olugbenga Gbadebo were arraigned
before Justice Idris but pleaded not guilty.

They were accused of diverting about N21billion NAF funds, but
they pleaded not guilty.

An initial plea bargain talks with EFCC broke down after they
reportedly refunded some money to the Federal Government.

At the last hearing, EFCC’s lawyer, Nnaemeka Omewa, who stood in
for Oyedepo, told the court that the defence team was in talks with
the commission towards reaching a plea bargain agreement.

“My lord, the defence team met with the prosecution and has
proposed terms of settlement. We are still on it, but we are also
ready to go on with the trial of the accused persons”, Omewa
said.

Ayorinde confirmed that talks were ongoing, but he sought an
adjournment to allow parties conclude with discussions.

“It is true that parties have met. It is also true that terms
have not been fully perfected. Therefore, parties will be willing
to come back before the court to report the outcome of our
discussions,” he said.