A senior official of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission in Abuja, Mohammed Dangana, has expressed willingness to enter a plea bargain to end his trial.
Dangana, an Executive Assistant to the Financial Controller, ECOWAS Commission Secretariat, Abuja, is facing trial on a 15-count charge, bordering on criminal, diversion of funds, misappropriation and money laundering to the tune of over N587.7million brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
He was accused of conspiring with two others, now at large to commit the crime.
Dangana, who was arraigned on October 18, 2019, was accused of diverting funds belonging to his employer, with which he among others, acquired property in Abuja, including a plot of land he allegedly bought in Guzape (Abuja) at N200million and an apartment in Garki at N42million.
At the resumed hearing on Monday, the prosecution was to call its fifth witness yesterday, however, when the case was called, counsel to the defendant, Mr. Chukwuma Onyezubelu told the court that his client was interested in entering a plea bargain arrangement with the prosecution.
He said parties were already talking and prayed the court for an adjournment to enable them conclude talks on the matter.
The prosecuting counsel, Wahab Shittu confirmed the development adding that he was not opposed to the defence’s move to plea bargain.
He said the defendant has offered to forfeit to the state, the property, which formed the subject of the case.
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According to Shituu, the property was worth N245million.
The prosecuting counsel also said that Dangana has equally agreed to plea guilty to an amended charge and to be given either a custodial sentence or fine, depending on what the court decides .
“It is in respect of that third option, which is the sentencing, whether it should be custodial or fine that we are still trying to agree on, although the final decision is for the court to make,” Shittu added.
He also said the decision whether or not to accept the offers made by the defendant is dependent on the disposition of his client (the EFCC).
“I will return to my client, if they are comfortable with the offers, then I have no option. We will be ready to continue with our case if my client objects to the bargain.
“I am not objecting to the request for an adjournment to enable us finalise the arrangement,” Shittu said.
Ruling, Justice Abang noted that although the case was scheduled for continuation of trial, the defence lawyer sought an adjournment on the grounds that the defendant intends to change his plea.
He adjourned till April 8 for parties to file their plea bargain agreement, failing which trial will continue.
