EFCC will bargain with Metuh, former Chief of Air Staff… on these conditions

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is ready to accept plea bargain in the corruption cases against a former National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh, and a former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal, Mohammed Umar (retd.).

Metuh is being prosecuted by the EFCC for allegedly receiving N400m from the Office of the National Security Adviser under Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.) while Umar is standing trial for criminal breach of trust and corruption, involving alleged diversion of  N7.382bn belonging to the Nigerian Air Force.

The former PDP spokesperson has written to the EFCC expressing his readiness to return the money so as to be given permission to travel out of the country for medical treatment.

Umar, on his part, told a Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday that he’s started talks with the EFCC to settle the money laundering charges preferred against him out of court.

Punch Newspapers reports that a top source at the EFCC revealed that the anti-graft agency was open to plea bargain.

“It is true that we have been having talks with the parties involved. The truth is that many people have returned money and have been spared the embarrassment and rigours of trial. However, you will recall that Metuh was not cooperating with us at the beginning and even tore his statement.”

“So, we decided to charge him to court. He is now willing to return money but unfortunately that is no longer enough. We have spent a lot on investigation and legal fees and so the best we can do for him is after returning the money, he pleads guilty to an amended charge and the minimum punishment obtainable.”

“In the case of Umar also, he refused to cooperate with us and we have now lined up credible witnesses against him, including the Director of Finance at the Air Force, who had claimed that N558m was deducted monthly from staff salaries.”

“We have also traced about five properties to him worth about N2.5bn. He will have a hard time explaining where he got the money to buy the properties. So, we cannot drop the charges but we can bargain. It is done in every country including the United States.”

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