“So, the point I want to make is that once a case has been taken to court, there can be no negotiation of return of money without punishment. That is impossible and can never happen because if that happens, then it is breach of the law,” Sagay told Punch.

“It would have been a different thing if the man had not been charged and maybe he was being interrogated and he quickly brought out the money during investigations. He can return the money and negotiate his way out although morally, it should not be but it is not illegal,” he added.

Sagay had earlier said that President Muhammadu Buhari is right not topublish the names of persons who looted Nigeria’s funds.