In a dramatic turn of events, former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele, has moved to prevent the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from presenting additional witnesses in his ongoing procurement fraud trial.
Emefiele, who has been facing charges related to alleged procurement fraud during his tenure at the helm of the CBN, made the legal bid following the conclusion of the prosecution’s case. He argues that the EFCC’s request to introduce new evidence and witnesses at this stage would violate procedural fairness and the principles of justice.
The former CBN Governor is accused of approving illegal procurement contracts, which he allegedly benefited from during his time in office. The EFCC has been investigating these accusations as part of a wider crackdown on corruption within Nigeria's financial institutions.
In his application to the court, Emefiele contends that the prosecution’s case has already been fully established and that introducing additional witnesses would only serve to prolong the trial unnecessarily. His legal team asserts that all relevant evidence has been presented and that the EFCC is attempting to introduce new material outside the scope of the original charges.
While the EFCC is pressing for further witnesses, claiming their testimony is essential to establishing a comprehensive case against Emefiele, the defense argues that the prosecution’s actions are indicative of a lack of preparedness and due diligence.
The case has attracted significant attention from both local and international observers, with many watching closely as it may set a precedent for future high-profile corruption cases in Nigeria. As the trial unfolds, the court will have to decide whether to allow the EFCC’s request to present additional evidence, or to rule in favor of the defense’s objection.