A former governor of Adamawa State, Rear Admiral Muritala Nyako, rtd, has opted for an out of court settlement in a N29bn alleged fraud case brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, since 2015.

An indication to this effect emerged yesterday at the Federal High Court in Abuja during the hearing of the 10-year-old corruption case.

At Friday’s proceeding, the prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, informed the court that both parties were currently in discussions to ensure an amicable settlement of the case.

According to the senior lawyer, by the next adjourned date, the two parties should be able to resolve all the details of the settlement so that the court can dispose of this matter.

“If we get a week’s adjournment, we will be able to resolve this,” Jacobs said.

Counsel to Nyako, Chief Michael Aondoaka, SAN confirmed to the court that discussions have reached an advanced stage for an out-of-court settlement in the alleged fraud case.

Aondoaka, a former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, AGF, said that he was positive that the matter would be resolved amicably.

Based on agreement of lawyers, the trial Judge, Justice Peter Lifu fixed July 18 for the former governor and the anti-graft agency to file a report of settlement.

Admiral Nyako who is the husband of Justice Binta Fatima Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, is being prosecuted by the EFCC alongside his son, Abdul-Aziz on charges of criminal conspiracy and abuse of office to the tune of N29bn.

Others standing trial along with them are two companies; Sebore Farms and Extension Ltd and Pagado Fortunes Ltd as well as Zulkifik Abba, Abubakar Aliyu, Blue Opal Ltd, Tower Assets Management Ltd, and Crust Energy Ltd.