Sources close to the investigation of the $2 billion arms scandal that has rocked the nation have reported that some of the suspects in the scandal are negotiating with the EFCC.

It was learnt that some of the suspects, who have already been arraigned in court where they pleaded ‘not guilty’ to the charges leveled against them, would rather return the alleged looted funds along with some assets in exchange for freedom or reduced sentences.

An estimate of N13 billion has been linked to over nine suspects in the course of the investigation of the scandal.

The Nation‘s sources also said it’s likely for some of the leaders of the Northern Nigeria to impress upon President Buhari to temper justice with mercy for the suspects.

The suspects are said to have volunteered to return the alleged funds traced to them and their cronies through phoney companies.

One of the suspects, Alhaji Bashir Yuguda, has supposedly indicated his willingness to return N600 million out of the over N1 billion traced to him.

A source was quoted to have said: “Despite the fact that most of the suspects pleaded not guilty, some of them have been considering plea bargain to get off the hook.

“Those affected have told the EFCC in confidence that they want to return looted funds and assets for outright state pardon or lighter jail terms.

“These few ones seeking plea bargain said they ought to regain freedom to retrieve funds where they are stashed.

“In fact, one of the suspects said having admitted that he had slush funds, there was nothing to prove in court again.”

Legal team to one of the suspects also stated “I think there is a plea bargain offer by some suspects. Some lawyers appearing in the cases have been meeting to enable the nation to get some of these funds back.

“These suspects would, however, prefer to return funds and assets to the EFCC for outright pardon.

“As I am talking to you, we have not reached any conclusion on the terms of plea bargain to be presented to the EFCC, which is prosecuting all the suspects.”