A former director of Finbank Plc, Danjuma Ocholi, standing trial alongside the bank’s former Managing Director, Okey Nwosu, for alleged stealing, has entered into a plea bargain with the EFCC.
Nwosu, Ocholi and two other former directors, Dayo Famoroti and Agnes Ebubedike, were arraigned on May 10 for allegedly stealing N16.2 billion from the bank.
They were arraigned on a 26-count charge before an Ikeja High Court presided over by Justice Lateefat Okunnu and had all pleaded not guilty to the charges.
However, when the matter came up on Wednesday, EFCC prosecutor, Rotimi Jacobs told the court that the agency had accepted Ocholi’s plea bargain arrangement after series of discussions.
Jacobs said the agreement was entered with Ocholi, who is the third accused, with the consent of his lawyer, Mr Olanrewaju Ogunlesi.
He said the prosecution’s next witness was in court, but noted that calling him to give evidence, in view of the development, would be unfair to Ocholi.
Jacobs said: “My Lord, the matter is for continuation of trial and at least one of our witnesses is in court, but there is a new development.
“We are talking with the third accused (Ocholi) on the possibility of settling this matter. We feel it will be unfair if we proceed to call our next witness to give evidence this morning.
“Our discussion with the third accused is concluded. It remains for us to just formally notify the court.”
He further claimed that apart from Ocholi, “some of the other accused persons” have also been talking with the EFCC on how to get their plea bargain.
No objections were raised by the counsel to the other accused persons and the matter was adjourned to Nov. 4 for further hearing.