The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned hearing in the plea bargain report involving former Adamawa State Governor, Murtala Nyako and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to July 25.

Justice Peter Lifu granted the adjournment on Friday following a request by EFCC counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, who informed the court that the attorney general of the federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi, had been unable to meet with relevant parties to finalise outstanding settlement issues due to the recent death of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Mr Jacobs explained that the AGF was occupied with national matters, particularly the seven-day mourning period declared by the federal government.

As a result, he asked for a short adjournment to allow time for the parties to meet and resolve the settlement terms.

Nyako’s lawyer, Mathew Onoja and other defence counsel did not object to the request.

Justice Lifu, noting the lack of opposition and the national mourning period, adjourned proceedings until July 25.

The plea bargain discussions mark a possible turning point in the long-running corruption trial, which began after Nyako and others were charged by the EFCC for allegedly diverting over N29 billion from Adamawa State’s treasury between 2011 and 2014.

The EFCC alleged that Nyako, his son Abdulaziz Nyako and co-defendants Zulkifikk Abba and Abubakar Aliyu used five companies, Blue Opal Limited, Sebore Farms & Extension Limited, Pagoda Fortunes Limited, Tower Assets Management Limited and Crust Energy Limited, to siphon public funds.

The funds were reportedly laundered through estate developments in Abuja and channelled via Zenith Bank’s then-regional manager for the North East, Ma’aji Iro.

The agency said the money, falsely tagged as “security funds,” was sequentially withdrawn and used for private purposes, violating the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act of 2012.

After calling 21 witnesses, the EFCC closed its case, prompting the defendants to file a no-case submission.

However, Justice Okon Abang dismissed their applications in 2021, ruling that they had a case to answer.

In January 2022, the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal upheld that decision, affirming that a prima facie case had been established against the accused and ordering them to enter their defence.

The matter has since seen several delays, but the recent plea bargain initiative may lead to an out-of-court resolution, depending on the outcome of further discussions by July 25.