Some sources privy to classified information are claiming that Godwin Emefiele, the suspended governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), is seeking a plea bargain in the criminal suit filed against him by the federal government.
The revelation came following the absence of Emefiele at the Federal High Court’s hearing on Wednesday, August 23.
Also, Emefiele’s co-accused, Sa’adatu Yaro, an employee of the CBN and a firm known as April 16 Investment Ltd was nowhere to be found at the court on Wednesday.
It was gathered that Emefiele is proposing a plea bargain agreement, and the federal government is disposed to the arrangement.
If an agreement is reached, Emefiele will resign as CBN governor and forfeit some assets.
This is because President Bola Tinubu, by law, cannot remove Emefiele as central bank governor.
Section 11 of the Central Bank Act 2007 specifies the conditions upon which a CBN governor can be removed from office.
Section 11(2)(f) empowers the president to terminate the appointment of a CBN governor. But, the “removal of the governor shall be supported by a two-thirds majority of the senate praying that he be so removed”.
