Alleged N22.8bn fraud: Ex-NAF chief, Amosu, revisits plea bargain

Oladimeji Ramon

A former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu (retd.), who is being prosecuted for an alleged fraud of N22.8bn, has returned to the negotiation table with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, seeking possible out-of-court settlement.

Amosu’s new move is coming about 16 months after he abandoned his initial proposition to enter into a plea bargain with the anti-graft agency.

It was learnt that the ex-air chief was scared off the initial negotiation by the terms imposed by the EFCC.

The EFCC had gone on to open its case, called a number of witnesses and tendered exhibits.

At the resumed proceedings in the case on Monday before the Federal High Court in Lagos, however, counsel for the EFCC, Nnaemeka Omewa, told Justice Mohammed Idris that the defence team had again approached the EFCC for negotiation.

“My Lord, the defence team met with the prosecution and they have proposed terms of settlement. We are still on it, but we are also ready to go on with the trial of the accused persons,” Omewa said.

Amosu’s lawyer, Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN), confirmed the position and urged Justice Idris to grant the parties a short adjournment to enable them to conclude settlement talks.

Ayorinde said, “It is true that parties have met. It is also true that terms have not been fully perfected. Therefore, parties will be willing to come back before the court to report the outcome of our discussions.”

After listening to the submissions of parties, Justice Idris adjourned the matter till March 7 for report of settlement or continuation of trial.

Amosu was charged with the alleged N22.8bn fraud alongside Air Vice Marshal Jacob Adigun and Air Commodore Gbadebo Olugbenga.

Joined with them in the charges are eight companies, which they allegedly used to siphon the N22.8bn from the coffers of the Nigerian Air Force.

The companies are Delfina Oil and Gas Limited, Mcallan Oil and Gas Limited, Hebron Housing and Properties Company Limited,  Trapezites BDC, and Fonds and Pricey Limited.

source http://punchng.com/alleged-n22-8bn-fraud-ex-naf-chief-amosu-revisits-plea-bargain/