The trial of former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele, over alleged $4.5 billion fraud and abuse of office was stalled yesterday at the Ikeja Special Offences Court following his absence from the proceedings.
Emefiele’s co-defendant, Henry Omoile, however, appeared before the court for the scheduled hearing.
Justice Rahman Oshodi, who presided over the matter, subsequently adjourned the continuation of the trial to November 11, 12, and 13.
At the resumed proceedings, Emefiele’s counsel, Lawal Labi (SAN), told the court that his client was unavailable because he was appearing before another court in Abuja in connection with a separate trial.
The prosecution counsel for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), C. C. Okezie, corroborated the development, informing the court that Emefiele had written a letter dated October 6 notifying the court that he was required to attend proceedings in Abuja on the same day fixed for the Lagos trial.
However, counsel to Omoile, Adeyinka Kotoye (SAN), expressed concern over the manner in which the absence of the first defendant was being handled, saying he had not received any notification from the court concerning Emefiele’s inability to attend the proceedings.
He said: “I don’t know why the court will be treating the second defendant as if he is not part of the proceedings.”
Kotoye further argued that it would be impractical for Emefiele to travel from Abuja to Lagos to appear before the court the following day, noting that the former CBN governor was already involved in another case in Abuja whose outcome could not be determined in advance.
After listening to the submissions from the parties, Justice Oshodi cancelled the dates earlier fixed for proceedings in October and rescheduled the continuation of the trial for November 11, 12, and 13.
Emefiele is facing a 19-count charge before the Special Offences Court in connection with allegations of abuse of office, receiving gratification, making corrupt demands and fraudulently receiving property in transactions said to be worth about $4.5 billion and N2.8 billion.
Omoile, on his part, is facing three counts relating to the alleged unlawful acceptance of gifts in his capacity as an agent.
Both defendants have pleaded not guilty to the charges.
