Former Adamawa State Governor Murtala Nyako has faced corruption charges for 10 years. Neither acquitted nor convicted, he and his co-defendants, including his son, Abdulaziz, a former senator, are tired of the trial. They want the case to end, even though the Court of Appeal ruled that there is merit in trying them for corruption.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) charged them in 2015 with diversion of N29 billion from the coffers of Adamawa State through a money laundering scheme during Mr Nyako’s time as governor.

The case is one of the longest and most complicated high-profile corruption cases filed during former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

It has passed through three judges, two of whom left the case due to death or promotion.

Together, the two botched trials presented about 29 witnesses, while the case journeyed to the Court of Appeal and back to the trial court. In its 10th year, the prosecution struggles to begin afresh before the third judge.

At the defendants’ re-arraignment on the 37 money laundering charges before the third judge in March last year, prosecution lawyer Leke Atolagbe reported that the defendants were in plea bargain talks with the authorities.

But defence lawyer Michael Aondoakaa, the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) during the late President Umaru Yar’adua’s administration, countered the prosecutor’s claim. He said his clients were not admitting guilt but seeking an “amicable settlement” of the case.

“Plea bargain creates the impression of guilt. The admiral is 81 years old; he is an agemate of the likes of retired General Badamosi Babangida, and he cannot continue to be made to face this again,” Mr Aondoakaa told the court.

The “amicable settlement” window means more than a reprieve for the octogenarian.