The federal government has rubbished claim that it is in the process of reaching agreement with embattled former Central Bank of Nigeria governor, Godwin Emefiele to have an out-of-court settlement following which he would refund N50bn to the apex bank’s coffer.
The account had made the headlines with report suggesting that it was a matter of time for the said plea bargain talks to follow through.
Refuting the report, Justice Minister Lateef Fagbemi by a statement the Director of Information in the Federal Ministry of Justice Mrs Modupe Ogundoro released, said nothing of such is under consideration.
The refutation read in part, “The attention of the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice has been drawn to a report by Sahara Reporters alleging that the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele and the Federal Government of Nigeria, have agreed to a non-prosecution plea bargain arrangement.
“The report further alleges that Emefiele and the Federal Government of Nigeria, represented by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, have signed a non-prosecution plea bargain agreement and that the agreement is awaiting the signature of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“The Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice hereby states clearly that these reports are completely false.
“It would be noted that the legal team representing Mr. Godwin Emefiele had expressed their intention in court at the last hearing to initiate a plea bargain arrangement.
“However, no such arrangement has been reached with Emefiele or his representatives.
“We wish to advise the media and members of the public to kindly disregard the said false report.
“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.”
