The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory has rejected the additional Proof of Evidence brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele in an alleged procurement fraud trial.
The additional Proof of Evidence filed on October 15, 2024 by the anti-graft Agency was seeking to introduce fresh evidence against Emefiele, more than 365 days when the charges against were first filed.
It also sought to bring two witnesses, Tommy Odama John and Ifeanyi Omeke, whose extra judicial statements were made in August 2024, in respect of the charge that had been filed in August 2023.
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Delivering the ruling on Thursday in a Motion on Notice filed by Emefiele to object the action of the EFCC, Justice Hamza Muazu noted that allowing the additional Proof of Evidence after the charge had been amended severally was prejudicial to the defendant, as his right to fair hearing is being breached.
He also declined to expunge the evidence of Boss Mustapha and Bamayi Haruna Mairiga from the Court records as requested by Emefiele
The trial has been adjourned to June 3, 2025.
(Editor: Ken Eseni)
