An Abuja High Court has fined the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) N500,000 for repeatedly seeking adjournments in the ongoing trial of former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele.
Gatekeepers News reports that the trial judge, Justice Hamza Muazu, imposed the fine after the prosecution failed to produce its 13th witness, DCP Edwin Okpoziakeo, who was scheduled to testify.
Emefiele is facing charges bordering on criminal breach of trust, forgery, abuse of office, conspiracy to obtain by false pretence, and obtaining money by false pretence during his tenure as CBN governor.
The EFCC alleges that he fraudulently obtained $6.23 million, purportedly meant for international election observers during the 2023 general elections. The agency also accused him of conferring corrupt advantages on two firms — April 1616 Nigeria Ltd and Architekon Nigeria Ltd.
The former apex bank chief has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
EFCC Seeks Adjournment Over Witness Absence
At Tuesday’s proceedings, EFCC counsel A.O. Mohammed told the court that the witness could not appear due to administrative issues.
According to him, the witness had been directed by the Force Headquarters to appear only after a formal request was sent to the Inspector-General of Police. He added that he had complied by writing the required letter.
Mohammed further explained that the witness later informed him he was attending to a personal matter in another court in Gwagwalada, where his bank account was reportedly under a garnishee order.
He therefore urged the court to grant another adjournment to allow the prosecution present its witness.
Defence Opposes, Cites Legal Limits
Counsel to Emefiele, Matthew Burkaa, opposed the request, citing Sections 396(3) and (4) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, which limit the number of adjournments each party can seek.
Burkaa argued that the prosecution had already exceeded the statutory limit, noting that it had been granted eight adjournments instead of the maximum five.
He further pointed out that the EFCC had earlier pushed for an accelerated hearing but had consistently delayed proceedings.
Court Sanctions EFCC, Adjourns Case
In his ruling, Justice Muazu agreed with the defence that the prosecution had sought multiple adjournments.
However, he noted that the court retained the discretion to grant adjournments in the interest of justice, particularly when the testimony of an investigator is material to the case.
The judge subsequently fined the EFCC N500,000 for delaying the trial despite earlier assurances of expedited proceedings.
The case was adjourned until April 27 for continuation of trial.
