Emefiele Trial: EFCC Gets Final Adjournment To Present Last Witness
By Anne Osemekeh, Abuja
The trial of former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele, resumed on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, before Justice Hamza Mu’azu of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Maitama, Abuja, with the court granting the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) a final adjournment to present its last witness.
Emefiele is being prosecuted by the EFCC on an amended 20-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust, forgery, abuse of office, conspiracy, obtaining by false pretence and related offences allegedly committed during his tenure as CBN governor.
One of the charges alleges that he fraudulently obtained $6,230,000, purportedly meant for international election observers during the 2023 general elections.
At the resumed hearing, prosecution counsel, Abbas Mohammed, told the court that efforts were ongoing to secure the attendance of the Commission’s final witness, Eloho Edwin Okboziakpo, an investigator in the case.
He explained that the witness, a police officer, was currently involved in another matter in Gwagwalada and required official clearance following a request that a letter be written to the Inspector-General of Police for his release.
Mohammed added that the prosecution had taken steps, including contacting the office of the Inspector-General of Police and the Assistant Inspector-General in charge of Legal, stressing that the witness played a critical role in the investigation. He therefore sought one more adjournment in the interest of justice.
The prosecution also applied to substitute an earlier exhibit with a 2019 document to avoid delays in the proceedings.
However, defence counsel, Mathieu Burkaa, opposed the request for adjournment.
In his ruling, Justice Mu’azu held that the witness was essential to the just determination of the case and granted the prosecution’s application, noting that it would be the final adjournment.
“The court will not deny the prosecution the opportunity in the interest of justice to present its final witness,” the judge ruled.
The matter was adjourned to April 27 and 28, 2026, for continuation of trial.
