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Oni Adewale Dolapo, one of the accused persons in the ongoing case of N12 billion mutilated currency scam involving some Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and commercial banks staff, has opted for plea bargaining.
At the resumed hearing at the Federal High Court, Ibadan, on Monday, Oni, through his lawyer, Y. A. H. Ruba, told the court that he had applied to the EFCC for plea bargaining, pointing out that the process would soon be completed.
Ruba said his client’s move was in line with Section 270 of the Administration of the Criminal Justice Act, 2015.
Counsel to EFCC, Mr. Adebisi Adeniyi, confirmed the position and submitted that the plea bargaining should be completed and filed before the court in the next adjourned date.
The defendants in the case are Kolawole Babalola, Olaniran Muniru, Toogun kayode Philips, Oni Adewale Dolapo, Afolabi Esther Olunike, and Ademola Ebenezer.
Counsel to the first defendant Otunba Bolanle Olayinka and counsel to the second and third defendants Mr Olalekan Ojo, however urged the court to adjourn the case until the fourth defendant file his plea bargaining.
According to Ojo, the move would save the court from the inconvenience of recalling the prosecution witness one that was due for cross examination on Monday.
He noted that there was no doubt about it that the plea bargaining would affect the original charge sheet.
Justice Abdulmalik later adjourned the case to September 28, 2016 for further hearing.