Court To EFCC: Produce Witness Against Emefiele Now Or Case Collapses

Justice Hamza Muazu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court on Tuesday ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to ensure the presence of its witness in the ongoing trial of former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele, warning that failure to do so could result in the closure of the case. The court set the next hearing for April 27 and 28.

According to Ireporter Online, Justice Muazu also imposed a ₦500,000 fine on the EFCC for failing to produce Deputy Commissioner of Police Elohor Edwin Okpoziakeo, a key member of the investigative team, who was scheduled to testify but was absent due to personal commitments. EFCC counsel A.O. Mohammed informed the court that administrative procedures and a personal matter prevented the witness from appearing, despite efforts to secure his attendance.

The defence, led by Matthew Burkaa (SAN), opposed the request for an adjournment, arguing that the EFCC had already exceeded the five-adjournment limit set by law and had previously been granted eight extensions. Burkaa emphasized that Emefiele had consistently attended court proceedings without seeking adjournments, highlighting the prosecution’s repeated delays despite an accelerated hearing.

In his ruling, Justice Muazu acknowledged that while the EFCC had surpassed the usual number of adjournments, the court retains discretion to grant further delays in the interest of justice. The judge stressed the importance of the witness’s testimony for the prosecution but criticized the EFCC for procedural delays.

Emefiele faces a 20-count amended charge filed by the EFCC on behalf of the Federal Government, including allegations of criminal breach of trust, forgery, abuse of office, conspiracy to obtain by false pretence, and obtaining money by false pretence. Among the accusations, he is alleged to have fraudulently obtained $6.23 million intended for international election observers during the 2023 general election and to have conferred corrupt advantages on two firms, April 1616 Nigeria Ltd and Architekon Nigeria Ltd. The former CBN governor has pleaded not guilty to all charges.