- Justice Muazu imposed a ₦500,000 fine on the anti-graft agency for failing to produce Deputy Commissioner of Police Elohor Edwin Okpoziakeo
- The prosecution sought an adjournment, stressing the importance of the witness to the case
- The trial has been adjourned to April 27 and 28, with a warning that failure to produce the witness could lead to legal repercussions
Justice Hamza Muazu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court has ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to ensure its witness appears in the ongoing trial of former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, warning that failure to comply could lead to the case being struck out.
The court ruled that the EFCC must present its witness at the next scheduled hearing on April 27 or face legal consequences, Eko Hot Blog gathered.
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Additionally, Justice Muazu imposed a ₦500,000 fine on the anti-graft agency for failing to produce Deputy Commissioner of Police Elohor Edwin Okpoziakeo, who was expected to testify on Tuesday.
EFCC counsel A.O. Mohammed explained that Okpoziakeo, part of the investigative team in the alleged procurement fraud case, was unable to attend due to personal commitments.
Mohammed stated that, although a request had been made to the Inspector-General of Police for the officer’s presence, Okpoziakeo cited a personal matter at the FCT High Court in Gwagwalada, where his account was reportedly under a garnishee order.
The prosecution sought an adjournment, stressing the importance of the witness to the case, noting that he worked closely with the Special Panel that investigated Emefiele.
Defence counsel Matthew Burkaa (SAN) opposed the adjournment, citing Section 396(3) and (4) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, which limits parties to five adjournments from arraignment to judgment.
Burkaa argued that the EFCC had already received eight adjournments and reminded the court that Emefiele had consistently attended hearings without requesting delays despite traveling from Lagos.
Justice Muazu acknowledged that the EFCC had exceeded the permitted number of adjournments but stated that the court retains discretion to allow further delays in the interest of justice.
He emphasized the importance of the investigator’s testimony but reprimanded the EFCC for delaying proceedings even after securing an accelerated hearing. The fine of ₦500,000 was imposed as a result.
The trial has been adjourned to April 27 and 28, with a warning that failure to produce the witness could lead to legal repercussions.
Emefiele is facing 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.
The former CBN governor is accused of fraudulently obtaining $6.23 million intended for international election observers during the 2023 general election and allegedly conferring corrupt benefits on April 1616 Nigeria Ltd and Architekon Nigeria Ltd. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
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