SETTLEMENT talks between the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and former Adamawa State governor, Vice Admiral Murtala Nyako (rtd.), over an alleged ₦29 billion fraud were put on hold on Friday following the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
At the resumed hearing before Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, EFCC counsel Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) informed the court that the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), was unable to conclude key consultations due to the national mourning period declared in Buhari’s honour.
“The Honourable Attorney-General was supposed to meet with parties involved to finalize the plea bargain agreement,” Jacobs stated.
“However, due to the former President’s passing and the ongoing mourning period, we respectfully seek a short adjournment.”
Defence lawyers, including Mathew Onoja, representing Nyako, and other counsel for co-defendants, raised no objections to the EFCC’s request.
Justice Lifu, acknowledging the impact of the national event on court proceedings, granted the adjournment and set the next hearing for July 25, 2025.
“Given the absence of objections and the Federal Government’s declared mourning period, this court will adjourn accordingly,” the judge ruled.
At the previous court session, both Jacobs and Nyako’s lead counsel, Michael Aondoaka (SAN), had informed the court of ongoing discussions aimed at an out-of-court settlement of the corruption charges. Aondoaka had expressed optimism that the matter would soon be resolved amicably.
The plea bargain, if successful, could bring an end to a protracted case dating back over a decade, involving complex allegations of public fund diversion and money laundering.
The EFCC alleges that Nyako, his son Abdulaziz, and two others; Zulkifikk Abba and Abubakar Aliyu – conspired to launder and misappropriate over ₦29 billion from the Adamawa State treasury between 2011 and 2014 during Nyako’s tenure as governor.
According to the charge sheet, the group utilized five front companies—Blue Opal Ltd, Sebore Farms & Extension Ltd, Pagoda Fortunes Ltd, Tower Assets Management Ltd, and Crust Energy Ltd—to siphon state funds under the guise of “security-related expenditure.”
The EFCC also alleged that the stolen funds were used to acquire high-value properties and estates in Abuja, and that significant sums were laundered through accounts managed by Ma’aji Iro, then Regional Manager at Zenith Bank Plc.
After presenting 21 witnesses, the EFCC closed its case. The defendants subsequently filed a no-case submission, arguing that the prosecution failed to link them to the alleged crimes.
However, in a 2021 ruling, Justice Okon Abang dismissed the application and ordered them to enter their defence. That decision was later upheld by the Court of Appeal in January 2022, which affirmed that a prima facie case had been established.
The latest adjournment comes amidst the seven-day national mourning declared by President Tinubu in honour of the late Muhammadu Buhari, who passed away on July 13, 2025.
Legal analysts note that while unavoidable, the development highlights how high-profile national events can impact the pace of justice.
As the court prepares to resume on July 25, observers are keen to see whether the plea deal will be finalized or if the case will proceed to full trial.