An Abuja High Court has been asked by former Central Bank of Nigeria governor Godwin Emefiele to shut out further prosecution evidence if key witnesses fail to appear in his trial.
Defence counsel Matthew Burkaa made the request after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission said it might not produce two remaining witnesses due to delays in securing subpoenas and their location outside the court’s reach.
Mr Emefiele is standing trial on multiple counts, including alleged fraud involving 6.3 billion dollars said to have been earmarked for international observers during the 2023 general election. He denies all charges.
During proceedings on Monday, EFCC investigator Chinedu Eneanya told the court that inquiries showed the funds were taken from the CBN under the pretext of election-related payments.
He further stated that forensic checks suggested the signatures of former President Muhammadu Buhari and former SGF Boss Mustapha had been forged in connection with the transaction.
However, under questioning, the witness acknowledged that Mr Emefiele’s own signature was not subjected to forensic analysis, and that other CBN officials linked to the documents were not facing trial.
The defence criticised the prosecution’s handling of witnesses, describing it as an attempt to prolong proceedings and impose hardship on the defendant, and asked the court to foreclose further evidence if the witnesses do not attend.
Prosecution counsel Rotimi Oyedepo opposed the application, urging the court not to bar it from presenting its case.
Presiding judge Hamza Muazu directed the prosecution to regularise its subpoenas and adjourned the matter until Tuesday for continuation.
