The Federal High Court in Abuja has given the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and former Adamawa Governor, Murtala Nyako, until 16 October to either reach an out-of-court settlement or proceed to full trial in the alleged ₦29 billion fraud case.
At the resumed hearing on Friday, Justice Peter Lifu noted that the case, originally filed in 2015, had lingered for nearly a decade and must no longer face further delays.
His comments followed updates presented by both the prosecution, led by Oluwaleke Atolagbe, and the defence counsel, indicating that the parties were still finalising the terms of a plea bargain.
Atolagbe informed the court that discussions were ongoing and asked for additional time to conclude them.
“If no resolution is reached by the next adjourned date, the trial will continue,” he said.
Nyako’s legal team and other defence lawyers confirmed the ongoing plea bargain talks and did not oppose the request for an adjournment.
Justice Lifu, however, expressed dissatisfaction with repeated delays.
“This is not a murder case. If you want to settle, please do so; if not, we proceed,” he said.
“The prosecution is gradually turning this court into an adjournment court. I’m only bending backward in line with Section 17 of the Federal High Court Act to promote, facilitate and encourage settlement,” he added.
The judge emphasised that this would be the final extension and adjourned the case to 16 October for either the presentation of a settlement report or continuation of trial.
Nyako is being prosecuted alongside his son, Abdul-Aziz, as well as several individuals and companies, on charges of conspiracy and abuse of office involving ₦29 billion.
Also standing trial are Sebore Farms and Extension Ltd, Pagado Fortunes Ltd, Zulkifik Abba, Abubakar Aliyu, Blue Opal Ltd, Tower Assets Management Ltd, and Crust Energy Ltd.
The trial began on 8 July 2015 before Justice Evoh Chukwu but had to restart on 12 September 2016 before Justice Okon Abang following Chukwu’s death on 8 June 2016, after the EFCC had called five witnesses.
The matter restarted once again before Justice Lifu after Justice Abang was elevated to the Court of Appeal in 2023.
(NAN)