The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the hearing in the plea bargain proceedings between former Adamawa State Governor Murtala Nyako and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to July 25, 2025.
Justice Peter Lifu granted the adjournment on Friday following a request by EFCC counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), who informed the court that the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), had yet to meet with relevant parties due to the recent death of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Jacobs explained that the AGF had been preoccupied with national duties during the seven-day mourning period declared by the federal government. As such, the EFCC sought a short adjournment to allow time for the outstanding settlement terms in the plea deal to be finalised.
Nyako’s lawyer, Mathew Onoja, and other defence counsel did not object to the EFCC’s request.
Justice Lifu, acknowledging the circumstances and the absence of opposition, agreed to the adjournment and rescheduled the matter for July 25.
The case against Nyako dates back to 2015, when the EFCC charged him, his son Abdulaziz Nyako, and others with conspiracy, money laundering, and criminal diversion of public funds totaling over N29 billion.
The funds were allegedly siphoned from Adamawa State’s treasury between 2011 and 2014 through five companies—Blue Opal Limited, Sebore Farms & Extension Limited, Pagoda Fortunes Limited, Tower Assets Management Limited, and Crust Energy Limited.
According to the EFCC, the defendants laundered the funds through property investments in Abuja, using Ma’aji Iro, then-regional manager of Zenith Bank for the North East, as a conduit.
The money was purportedly disguised as “security funds” but was instead used for personal enrichment, contravening provisions of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2012.
The anti-graft agency closed its case after calling 21 witnesses. The defendants then filed a no-case submission, but Justice Okon Abang ruled in 2021 that they had a case to answer. The Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal upheld that ruling in 2022.
While the case has experienced several delays, ongoing plea bargain negotiations suggest a possible out-of-court resolution, contingent upon the outcome of discussions prior to the next court date.