Justice ministry: FG didn’t sign plea bargain agreement with Emefiele

 The ministry of justice says the federal government and Godwin Emefiele, erstwhile governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), did not sign a non-prosecution plea bargain agreement.

A report had claimed that both parties agreed to a non-prosecution plea bargain arrangement.

In a statement on Saturday, Modupe Ogundoro, director, press and public relations, ministry of justice, said the report is false. 

“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 statement reads. 

“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, Ogundoro said no such arrangement has been reached with Emefiele or his representatives. 

She urged 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,” the spokesperson added.