A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court sitting in Maitama on Thursday rejected three witnesses the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) sought to present against former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele.
Justice Hamza Muazu ruled that the names of the proposed witnesses were part of additional evidence the EFCC had previously sought to submit but which the court struck out on March 20. The judge said the prosecution must await the outcome of its appeal at the Court of Appeal regarding the admissibility of the witnesses before proceeding.
“The ruling of March 20 is now under appeal. This court cannot override its own decision by permitting these witnesses to testify. The prosecution must wait for the Court of Appeal’s ruling,” Justice Muazu stated.
The trial has been adjourned to January 29, 2026, for continuation. Emefiele, who led the apex bank from 2014 to 2023, faces a 20-count charge of alleged procurement fraud totaling about N1.2 billion. The EFCC alleged that between 2018 and 2020, he awarded contracts for 43 vehicles worth N1.2 billion and gave a corrupt advantage to a CBN staff member, Mrs. Sa’adatu Ramallan Yaro, by awarding her company, April 1616 Investment Ltd, a contract for 37 Toyota Hilux vehicles valued at N854 million.
At the resumed hearing on October 22, Emefiele, through his lead counsel, Mr. Mathew Burkaa, SAN, opposed the EFCC’s attempt to present its 11th witness, Alvan Grumman, arguing the witness had been part of evidence previously rejected by the court. Burkaa accused the EFCC of abusing the judicial process and maintaining the objection for two other proposed witnesses.
EFCC’s lawyer, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, said the defendant only opposed the two other witnesses and urged the court to allow Grumman to testify, noting he was part of the investigative team.
The court emphasized that introducing new evidence after multiple amendments to the charge could prejudice the defendant, but it declined to strike out the case or expunge evidence from former SGF Boss Mustapha and Bamayi Haruna Mairiga, asserting that the trial should continue to reach a final judgment.
