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 seeking multiple adjournments in the trial of former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele.

 

Justice Hamza Muazu imposed the fine on Tuesday after the anti-graft agency failed to produce a key witness, DCP Edwin Okpoziakeo, in court as scheduled, resulting in another adjournment.

 

Emefiele is facing charges including criminal breach of trust, forgery, abuse of office, conspiracy, and obtaining money by false pretence. He has pleaded not guilty to all counts.

 

The EFCC alleges that he fraudulently obtained over six million dollars, purportedly meant for international election observers during the 2023 general election. He is also accused of conferring corrupt advantages on two companies.

 

At the hearing, EFCC counsel, A.O. Mohammed, told the court the witness was unavailable due to administrative procedures and a personal matter in another court.

 

However, defence counsel, Matthew Burkaa, opposed the request for adjournment, arguing that the prosecution had already exceeded the number of adjournments allowed under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.

 

In his ruling, Justice Muazu agreed that the prosecution had delayed proceedings but noted that the court retains discretion to grant adjournments in the interest of justice.

 

He subsequently imposed a N500,000 fine on the EFCC and adjourned the case to April 27 for continuation of trial.