The concept of plea bargain is one that still continues to generate mixed reactions from Nigerians whenever it is mentioned.

While some people contend that it is legal and champion its usage, others just dismiss it as a fraud.

Channels Television’s judiciary correspondent, Shola Soyele takes another look at the use of plea bargain in Nigeria especially in the light of recent allegations of fraud trailing one of such plea bargain agreements.

Plea bargain gained notoriety in Nigeria when it was first used by the EFCC in 2005 to settle the case of corruption against former Inspector-General of Police, Tafa Balogun who was convicted for stealing assets worth over $130m. After a plea bargain agreement, he got away with imprisonment for 6 months and an order to forfeit the assets traced to him.