By Onyewuchi Ojinnaka
Senior Correspondent
Sequel to the inability of the parties to reach a conclusion on the plea bargain agreement sought by the former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu in his trial before Justice Mohammed Idris over alleged diversion of about N21 billion NAF funds, the case has been adjourned till March 27 for continuation of trial by the prosecuting agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
When the case was called up on Wednesday for report of plea bargain agreement and/or trial the prosecuting counsel Rotimi Oyedepo informed the court that no “concrete” agreement had been reached.
“We have not reached any concrete agreement that is acceptable to the complainant. We are here with our witness and we are ready to go on with trial,” he submitted.
Responding to what appeared to be a surprise to him, Amosu’s counsel Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN) said everything was in EFCC’s hands.
“For now, we leave it in their hands to see how we proceed,” he said.
Ayorinde had earlier hinted the court that the talks were progressing.
However, following the judge’s suggestion, Oyedepo agreed that the case be adjourned in view of other pending cases in court.
The witness, an ECCC Investigation officer, Tosin Owobo, who was about to enter the witness box to give evidence, eventually could not testify.
It would be recalled that former Chief of Air Staff Amosu, former Nigeria Air Force (NAF) Chief of Accounts and Budgeting, Air Vice Marshal Jacob Adigun and a former Director of Finance and Budget, Air Commodore Olugbenga Gbadebo were arraigned before Justice Idris on alleged offences bothering on diversion of about N21 billion NAF funds and they pleaded not guilty.
An initial plea bargain talks with EFCC broke down after they reportedly refunded some money to the Federal Government.
At the last hearing, EFCC’s counsel, Nnaemeka Omewa, who stood in for Oyedepo, told the court that the defence team was in talks with the commission towards reaching a plea bargain agreement.
“My lord, the defence team met with the prosecution and has 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.
Ayorinde confirmed that talks were ongoing, but he sought an adjournment to allow parties conclude with discussions.
“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,” he said.