Suspended CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, begins move to enter a plea agreement with the Federal Government as his arraignment slated for today stalls for the second time.
The suspended Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Godwin Emefiele, on Wednesday allegedly opted for a plea bargain after his expected arraignment by the court stalled again.
The matter was not listed on the cause list of a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja with no reason given as lawyers to both parties were absent.
The Abuja High Court had actually adjourned the arraignment of the suspended CBN governor until today, August 23.
The terms of agreement between the prosecution and the defendant are subsequently accepted by the trial court which adopts same as its judgement in the matter.
Such arrangement is allowed under section 270(1) & (2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, ACJA, 2015.
It will be recalled that Emefiele’s arraignment was equally stalled on August 17, following the absence of the 2nd defendant, Mrs. Yaro, who is a staff of the apex bank.
The matter was not listed on the cause list of a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja with no reason given as lawyers to both parties were absent.
The Abuja High Court had actually adjourned the arraignment of the suspended CBN governor until today, August 23.
The Federal Government (FG) had initially scheduled last week Thursday to arraign Emefiele and his allies for their alleged involvement in a N6.9 billion procurement fraud.
He was supposed to be arraigned alongside a female CBN employee, Sa’adatu Yaro and her company, April1616 Investment Limited at the FCT High Court in Abuja.
Even though trial Justice Hamza Muazu, who is sitting as the vacation judge, was on seat, however, Emefiele’s case was not listed on the court’s cause-list.
An official of the court who spoke to Vanguard but pleaded not to be named, said the case could not proceed as planned, “due to fresh developments in the matter.”
“Because of the developments, my lord had to suspend the arraignment. A new return date will be communicated to all the parties,” the official added.
Meanwhile, indications emerged on Tuesday that the embattled suspended CBN governor may be exploring a plea bargain deal with FG.
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