N22.8bn fraud: Ex-COAS Amosu, others take Buhari’s advice, want plea bargain

Former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu, has, alongside 10 others, proposed to enter into a plea bargain with the Federal Government over their ongoing trial over an alleged N22.8 billion fraud.

Amosu is standing trial alongside Air Vice Marshall Jacob Adigun and Ait Commodore Gbadebo Olugbenga and seven companies.

President Muhammadu Buhari had called on those being prosecuted for having looted the nation’s treasury, especially in the arms procurement scam, to return what they had stolen, to save government the trouble of trying and possibly jailing them.

Read also: Buhari appoints AVM Usman as Chief of Defence Intelligence

Prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, informed the court of the moves by the accused persons for a plea bargain at the resumed hearing of the case on Friday.

Oyedepo also tendered a draft copy of the terms of the plea bargain before the court, saying that the defendants have been served with the draft terms too.

However, the defence team argued that the business of the day was for the report of compliance with the order of the court for the verification of the bail conditions of the defendants.

Mr. Norrison Quakers, contended that though the defendants came up with the idea of plea bargain, they have to be released from custody before any meaningful negotiation can be entered into.

Oyedepo however opposed Quakers’ position, insisting that the business of the day was for commencement of trial and that he has his witness in court.

The trial judge, after listening to the counsels, ordered the EFCC to conclude verification of the bail conditions on or before Monday, July 11, 2016 while also adjourning till September 12 and 13 for trial.

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