The Federal Government has unequivocally distanced itself from any involvement in a reported N50 billion non-prosecution plea bargain with former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele.

Reports had surfaced claiming that Emefiele had entered into a plea bargain with the government, offering to surrender N50 billion in exchange for his early release from the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS). This plea bargain was purportedly intended to thwart the trial of the former CBN chief on charges ranging from money laundering to the breach of the Public Procurement Act and abuse of office.

However, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi, categorically denied the existence of any such plea bargain deal.

Fagbemi, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), stated that neither his office nor the Presidency had engaged in any discussions or negotiations of this nature with Emefiele.

The position of the Federal Government was articulated through a statement released by the Director of Information in the Federal Ministry of Justice, Mrs Modupe Ogundoro. The statement 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, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, and the Federal Government of Nigeria have agreed to a non-prosecution plea bargain arrangement.”

“The report further alleges that Mr. Godwin 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 Mr. Godwin 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.”