A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Maitama has rejected an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to submit additional evidence in the ongoing trial of former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele.
Delivering the ruling on Thursday, March 20, Justice Hamza Muazu dismissed the EFCC’s request, citing concerns over fairness, as the agency sought to introduce fresh evidence more than a year after the initial charges were filed. The EFCC had also sought to present two new witnesses, Tommy Odama John and Ifeanyi Omeke, whose extra-judicial statements were made in August 2024—months after the trial had already commenced.
Justice Muazu noted that the prosecution had previously submitted additional evidence on February 12, 2024, including testimonies from former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Boss Mustapha and one Bamayi Mairiga. He ruled that the latest request amounted to an attempt to ambush the defendant, violating his right to a fair hearing, as he had not been confronted with the new evidence during the initial investigation.
The court further held that allowing fresh evidence after multiple amendments to the charge would be prejudicial to Emefiele. Justice Muazu emphasized that, under the law, investigations should be completed before charges are filed, not pursued in the middle of an ongoing trial.
