A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory sitting in Maitama, Abuja, on Tuesday ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to pay N500,000 in costs for stalling proceedings in the trial of former Central Bank of Nigeria governor, Godwin Emefiele.
The presiding judge, Hamza Muazu, imposed the sanction after the prosecution failed to present its witness at the resumed hearing. While granting what he termed a final adjournment, the judge cautioned the prosecution to ensure that its witnesses are available at the next court date.
Emefiele is currently facing a 20-count amended charge marked FCT/HC/CR/577/2023, which includes allegations of criminal breach of trust, forgery, abuse of office, conspiracy, and obtaining money under false pretences.
Among the accusations, he is alleged to have obtained $6.23m purportedly for funding international election observers during the 2023 general election. He is also accused of granting undue advantages to two firms—April 1616 Nigeria Ltd and Architekon Nigeria Ltd.
During the proceedings, prosecuting counsel, Abba Mohammed (SAN), informed the court that the prosecution’s witness, a Deputy Commissioner of Police, Elohor Edwin Okpoziakeo, was absent despite having been duly notified.
Mohammed explained that the witness was attending a separate matter at the Gwagwalada Division of the FCT High Court involving a personal case against a commercial bank, where a garnishee order had been placed on his account.
He further informed the court that steps had been taken to secure the witness’s attendance, including writing to the Inspector-General of Police through the Force Headquarters, following a directive issued on Monday.
The prosecutor subsequently applied for an adjournment to enable the witness to testify.
