Justice Minister Distances FG From N50bn Plea Bargain With Ex-CBN Gov, Emefiele

The Federal Government today distanced itself from a N50 billion planned non-prosecution plea bargain with former Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele.

Emefiele was reported to have entered into a plea bargain with the government on condition of surrendering N50 billion to facilitate his early release from the custody of the Department of the State Services, DSS.

The plea bargain was also said to be aimed at cancelling the trial of the former CBN chief on series of charges comprising money laundering, breach of Public Procurement Act and abuse of office.

However, on Sunday, the Attorney-General of the Federation, AGF, and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi, said there is no iota of truth in the alleged plea bargain deal.

Fagbemi, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, said neither his office nor the Presidency has had anything of such nature with Emefiele.

The position of the Federal Government was made public in a statement by the Director of Information in the Federal Ministry of Justice, Mrs Modupe Ogundoro.

He advised the media and members of the public to disregard the said false report as the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice will continue to take all actions in the interest of the Nigerian public