The Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja has denied the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) permission to introduce additional evidence against former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele.
Delivering his ruling on Thursday, Justice Hamza Muazu upheld an application by Emefiele’s legal team, led by Mathew Burkaa (SAN), challenging the EFCC’s move. The judge criticized the prosecution’s attempt to introduce new evidence mid-trial, describing it as “trial by ambush” and a violation of the defendant’s right to a fair hearing.
Justice Muazu ruled that criminal charges should be based on completed investigations, not evolving evidence. He stressed that the EFCC’s multiple amendments to the charges indicated a lack of preparedness and could unfairly disadvantage the defendant.
However, the judge declined to strike out the case entirely, stating that justice would be best served by allowing the trial to proceed to its conclusion. He also rejected Emefiele’s request to expunge testimonies from former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, and another witness, Bamayi Haruna Mairiga.
Emefiele is facing trial over alleged procurement fraud in case FCT/HC/CR/577/2023. His legal team had opposed the EFCC’s attempt to introduce two additional witnesses, Tommy John and Ifeanyi Omeke, whose statements were made in August 2024—over a year after charges were initially filed in August 2023.
The court scheduled the continuation of the trial for June 3, 2025.
