A Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan yesterday adjourned till tomorrow the trial of four fromer Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) workers for alleged N8 billion currency scam.
Justice Joyce Abdulmaleek adjourned the matter following the prayer of the defence based on the plea bargaining entered into by the fourth accused, Oni Ademola.
The other accused facing trial are Kolawole Babalola, Olaniran Adeola and Togun Philip.
“I shall give the opportunity to know the content of the plea bargain and whether it affects their case.
“It is my view that the issue of plea bargaining is solely an affair of the fourth defendant and the prosecution.
“Let me also state that the issue of plea bargaining cannot stall further examination and cross examination of the accused persons,” the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) quoted Justice Abdulmaleek as saying.
Counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes’ Commission (EFCC) Adebisi Adeniyi told the court that Y.A. Ruba, counsel to the fourth accused, entered into plea bargaining with the commission.
He added that the arrangement, which is 95 per cent complete, would be okay before the next adjourned date.
Defence, however, opposed the continuation of yesterday’s sitting, as it needed to know the content of the plea bargaining.
It expressed fear the arrangement might affect its case.
The four are being tried for an alleged N8 billion CBN currency scam.
They are accused of multiple charges of conspiracy, stealing and recycling of mutilated naira notes, totalling N8 billion at the Ibadan office of CBN.
The defence counsel included Olalekan Ojo, Olayinka Bolanle and Adewole Olajire.