Justice Hamza Muazu orders EFCC to produce trial witness in Godwin Emefiele’s CBN procurement fraud case or face case closure

Justice Hamza Muazu of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, has ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to produce its witness in the procurement fraud trial of former Central Bank of Nigeria governor, Godwin Emefiele, or risk having the case closed.

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The judge imposed a fine of N500,000 on the anti-graft agency after it failed to present Deputy Commissioner of Police, DCP Elohor Edwin Okpoziakeo, who is a key investigator in the case.

Justice Muazu ruled that the witness must appear in court on the next adjourned date of April 27 or the court would take decisive action under the law.

At Tuesday’s proceedings, EFCC counsel A.O. Mohammed explained that the witness could not attend due to administrative procedures and a personal matter at the FCT High Court, where his account was under garnishee order.

The prosecutor requested an adjournment to allow the DCP to testify.

However, Emefiele’s lead counsel, Matthew Burkaa, SAN, strongly opposed the request, noting that EFCC had already been granted eight adjournments, exceeding the statutory limit of five under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.

Burkaa argued that the prosecution’s choice to prioritise the witness’s personal matter over court proceedings should not justify further delays.

Justice Muazu acknowledged the defence’s arguments but emphasised that the court retains discretion to grant an adjournment in the interest of justice.

He stressed that investigators are vital to cases of this magnitude, but maintained the N500,000 fine against EFCC for causing delays.

The trial was adjourned to April 27 and 28 for continuation.

Emefiele faces a 20-count amended charge including criminal breach of trust, forgery, abuse of office, conspiracy to obtain by false pretence, and obtaining money by false pretence while serving as CBN governor.

He is accused of misappropriating $6,230,000 intended for international election observers during the 2023 general election and conferring corrupt advantages on April 1616 Nigeria Ltd and Architekon Nigeria Ltd.

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The former CBN governor has pleaded not guilty to all charges.