Drama In Abuja Court As Nyako’s Multi-Billion Naira Corruption Case Stalls Over Plea Deal

The Federal High Court in Abuja has temporarily suspended the ₦29 billion money laundering trial involving former Adamawa State Governor, Admiral Murtala Nyako (retd), after the defendant opted to pursue a plea bargain with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Justice Peter Lifu halted the proceedings on Friday following revelations by the EFCC that discussions for an out-of-court settlement were actively underway.

EFCC counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), informed the court that negotiations had reached an advanced stage and were likely to be finalized before the next hearing.

“Settlement talks have commenced. We’re optimistic that all terms will be concluded by the next court date,” Jacobs stated.

Nyako’s lawyer, Michael Aondoaka (SAN), confirmed the development, expressing confidence in a peaceful resolution of the matter.

Justice Lifu adjourned the case until July 18, 2025, for a formal report on the outcome of the settlement discussions.

Nyako, his son Senator Abdulaziz Nyako, and associates Zulkifikk Abba and Abubakar Aliyu, were first arraigned on August 7, 2015, on charges of misappropriating over ₦29 billion from the Adamawa State treasury between 2011 and 2014.

The EFCC alleged that the defendants laundered the funds through five shell companies: Blue Opal Ltd, Sebore Farms, Pagoda Fortunes Ltd, Tower Assets Management Ltd, and Crust Energy Ltd, under the pretense of executing bogus contracts.

Part of the laundered funds, according to the commission, was allegedly invested in Abuja real estate to mask their illicit origins.

An EFCC operative, Adekunle Odofin, stated in a sworn affidavit that funds camouflaged as “security votes” were allegedly handed to former Zenith Bank manager, Ma’aji Iro, who later withdrew the sums for personal use. He further noted that both Iro and another key witness, Abdulmalik Dalhatu, died under suspicious circumstances after giving evidence in the trial.

The charges against Nyako and his co-defendants include criminal conspiracy, theft, abuse of office, and money laundering, all punishable under the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2012.

On January 18, 2022, the Abuja Court of Appeal had ordered the defendants to open their defence in the 37-count indictment. A panel of three justices, led by Justice Olabisi Ige, affirmed an earlier ruling by the trial court, which dismissed the defendants’ no-case submission, confirming that a prima facie case existed.

Trial Judge Justice Okon Abang, in his July 19, 2021 ruling, declared, “The court is convinced the defendants have a case to answer and must proceed with their defence.”

Nyako and his son had argued that none of the prosecution’s 21 witnesses directly implicated them. However, if the ongoing plea bargain is successful, the lengthy trial may come to an early conclusion.

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