Abuja High Court adjourns Godwin Emefiele trial, directing EFCC to streamline case management and ensure proper handling of evidence

Justice Hamza Muazu of an Abuja High Court on Thursday directed the prosecution in the trial of former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele, to properly organise its case.

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Emefiele is facing an amended 20-count charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, including allegations of criminal breach of trust, forgery, abuse of office, conspiracy to obtain by false pretence, and obtaining money by false pretence while serving as CBN governor.

He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The directive followed an objection raised by Emefiele’s counsel, Matthew Burkaa SAN, to a prosecution request for adjournment.

The prosecution, represented by Rotimi Oyedepo SAN, sought additional time to certify a Code of Conduct Bureau document intended for tender through the 12th prosecution witness, EFCC investigator David Jaiyeola.

Burkaa argued that the document had been in the prosecution’s possession since September 2024 and questioned the need for further certification.

Justice Muazu granted the adjournment but warned that the prosecution must ensure proper procedures are followed, noting that accelerated hearing had previously been approved.

The court adjourned the matter to March 16 for continuation.

During proceedings, PW12 Jaiyeola testified that the EFCC recovered $2,045,000 and property documents from Collins Omeke, lawyer to Emefiele.

The recovered properties included a Lekki Phase 1 residence, an Ikoyi plot, an industrial complex in Delta State, eight uncompleted apartments in Ikoyi, a duplex on Bank Road, Lagos, and a four-bedroom duplex at 12A Probyn Road, Ikoyi.

Jaiyeola explained that Omeke said the funds originated from Emefiele and were delivered via his personal assistant, Mr Eric Ocheme.

Additional cash had allegedly been used for property development.

Statements made by Emefiele to the EFCC were admitted as exhibits, along with bank records from Archtekon Nigeria Limited showing substantial inflows from the CBN, including N52,983,526.25 on March 5, 2020, and over N350 million confirmed as contract proceeds by a relative of the defendant.