Alleged $6.23m Fraud: EFCC to present last witness in Emefiele trial
The trial of former Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Governor, Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele, continued on Tuesday at the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court in Maitama, Abuja, with the court granting the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission a final adjournment to produce its last witness.
Presiding judge, Hamza Mu’azu, ruled in favour of the prosecution after hearing arguments from both sides, stressing that the adjournment would be the last granted in the matter.
Mr Emefiele is facing an amended 20-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust, forgery, abuse of office, conspiracy, and obtaining money by false pretence during his tenure as CBN governor.
A key allegation before the court is that the former apex bank chief knowingly obtained $6.23 million under false pretences. The funds were reportedly claimed to have been meant for international election observers during Nigeria’s 2023 general elections.
At Tuesday’s proceedings, prosecution counsel, Abbas Mohammed, informed the court that efforts were ongoing to secure the attendance of the commission’s final witness, identified as Eloho Edwin Okboziakpo, an investigator involved in the case.
According to Mohammed, the witness, a serving police officer, is currently engaged in another legal matter in Gwagwalada and requires official clearance to appear in court.
“We have been in touch with the witness. However, a request was made that a letter be written to the Inspector-General of Police for his proper release,” he said.
The prosecutor further explained that the witness is participating in a garnishee proceeding and had insisted on being physically present in that case, necessitating coordination with police authorities.
“We have taken steps, including writing to the office of the Inspector-General of Police and engaging the Assistant Inspector-General in charge of Legal. Based on this, we are seeking one more adjournment in the interest of justice,” Mohammed added, noting that the witness played a key investigative role in the case.
In addition to the adjournment request, the prosecution sought the court’s permission to substitute an earlier exhibit with a 2019 document, a move it said would help avoid delays in the proceedings.
However, defence counsel, Mathieu Burkaa, opposed the application for adjournment, urging the court to decline the request.
In his ruling, Justice Mu’azu held that the testimony of the witness, being central to the investigation, was crucial to the fair determination of the case.
“The court will not deny the prosecution the opportunity, in the interest of justice, to present its final witness,” the judge ruled.
He, however, cautioned that no further delays would be entertained.
The matter was subsequently adjourned to April 27 and 28, 2026, for continuation of trial.
