Babatunji Wusu –
- Godwin Emefiele requests the Federal Capital Territory High Court to prevent the EFCC from introducing additional witnesses in his ongoing trial.
- Emefiele’s legal team argues that the EFCC should be limited to the 10 witnesses listed in its original evidence submission.
- The EFCC prosecutor contends that additional witnesses are necessary for a fair and comprehensive trial.
- The trial is scheduled for March 20 for a ruling on the motion.
- Emefiele faces 20 charges, including criminal breach of trust, forgery, and conspiracy.
- The EFCC’s 10th witness testified that the CBN’s procurement process followed legal guidelines, confirming that Emefiele was not involved in the awarding or payment for the contract in question.
Former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, is seeking to prevent the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from presenting additional witnesses in his procurement fraud trial. Represented by his lead counsel, Matthew Burkaa (SAN), Emefiele argues that the EFCC should be limited to the 10 witnesses originally listed in its evidence submission to the court.
The EFCC’s prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), has opposed this motion, asserting that additional testimonies are vital for ensuring a thorough and fair trial. Oyedepo further emphasized that restricting the EFCC from introducing more witnesses would infringe upon its right to a fair hearing.
After hearing both sides’ arguments, Justice Hamza Muazu adjourned the case to March 20 for a ruling.
Emefiele faces 20 charges under case number FCT/HC/CR/577/2023, which include criminal breach of trust, forgery, and conspiracy. He is accused of using his position as CBN governor to grant illicit advantages to the companies April 1616 Nigeria Ltd and Architekon Nigeria Ltd.
In Monday’s session, the EFCC’s 10th witness, Salawu Gana, testified that the contract awarded to April 1616 for procuring vehicles for the CBN adhered to procurement laws and the bank’s internal guidelines. Under cross-examination, Gana explained that the CBN’s Procurement Department reviewed bids before awarding the contract to April 1616, the lowest bidder. He confirmed that Emefiele’s approval was based on the CBN Tenders Board’s recommendations, emphasizing that Emefiele was not a member of the Tenders Board.
Gana also noted that neither he nor any of the other procurement officers involved had been charged by the EFCC. He added that there was no evidence linking Emefiele to any payments from April 1616’s bank account, confirming that Emefiele had no direct involvement in the procurement process. Additionally, he stated that Emefiele was not a director, shareholder, or signatory to April 1616’s account.
During the proceedings, EFCC counsel Rotimi Oyedepo submitted documents detailing the bidding processes for multiple vehicle supply contracts awarded by the CBN, reinforcing that April 1616 secured the contracts based on its competitive quotations.
