Court Fines EFCC N500,000 Over Delays in Emefiele’s Trial

An Abuja High Court has fined the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) N500,000 for repeatedly delaying the trial of former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele.

Justice Hamza Muazu imposed the fine after the prosecution failed to present its 13th witness, DCP Edwin Okpoziakeo, who was expected to testify in the case.

Emefiele is facing multiple charges, including criminal breach of trust, forgery, abuse of office, conspiracy, and obtaining money under false pretences during his tenure as CBN governor. The EFCC alleges that he fraudulently secured $6.23 million, reportedly intended for international election observers during the 2023 general elections. He is also accused of granting undue benefits to two firms—April 1616 Nigeria Ltd and Architekon Nigeria Ltd.

The former CBN chief has denied all allegations.

During the hearing, EFCC counsel A.O. Mohammed explained that the witness was absent due to administrative requirements. He said the police officer had been instructed to appear only after a formal request was sent to the Inspector-General of Police. Although the request was made, the witness later informed the prosecution that he was attending to a personal matter in another court in Gwagwalada involving his bank account.

Mohammed appealed for another adjournment to enable the witness to testify.

However, Emefiele’s counsel, Matthew Burkaa, opposed the request, arguing that the prosecution had already exceeded the number of adjournments allowed under Sections 396(3) and (4) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015. He noted that the EFCC had been granted eight adjournments, surpassing the statutory limit of five, despite earlier calls for an expedited hearing.

In his ruling, Justice Muazu acknowledged the repeated delays but noted that the court still has the discretion to grant adjournments where necessary for justice, especially when a key witness is involved.

He nevertheless sanctioned the EFCC with a N500,000 fine for prolonging the trial and adjourned the case until April 27 for continuation.