CBN Suspended Governor, Godwin Emefiele Opts For Plea Bargain In Court Case

The suspended Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, has reportedly opted for plea bargain.

The Nation reports that as part of the out-of-court settlement terms, Emefiele will forfeit any illicit funds and questionable assets traced to him. It is however not certain if any illicit fund has been linked to him.

The report adds that Emefiele will also step aside as the CBN governor to enable the government to appoint a substantive holder. It was also gathered that Emefiele and his relations will withdraw all matters in court.

On Wednesday, August 23, an Abuja Court struck out a suit filed by the embattled CBN governor challenging his detention. His siblings – George and Okanta – withdrew the two suits they filed against the Department of State Service (DSS) and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF).

Some highly-placed Nigerians were said to have interceded for Emefiele to make government accept the plea bargain offer. The turn of event on his trial was said to have both “legal and political tones to avoid anything which may have negative impacts on the economic agenda of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”

Emefiele is standing trial for alleged violation of the procurement law to the tune of N6.9 billion.

A source was quoted as saying Emefiele was worried about the likely dragging of his trial for years, as and members his family weighed all options and settled for plea bargain. They added that the Federal Government’s legal team and Emefiele’s lawyers were perfecting the terms of settlement.