Emefiele Challenges EFCC’s Bid to Call Additional Witnesses in Fraud Trial
By DAYO ADESULU
Court to Rule on March 20 as Legal Battle Intensifies
ABUJA, NIGERIA – Embattled former CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, has urged the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja to bar the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from introducing additional witnesses in his ongoing procurement fraud trial.
Legal Showdown Over Witness List
Emefiele’s lead counsel, Matthew Burkaa (SAN), argued that since the EFCC initially listed only 10 witnesses in its court filings, it should not be permitted to expand its witness list.
However, EFCC’s prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), countered that additional witnesses were critical for a thorough and fair hearing. Oyedepo maintained that restricting the prosecution’s witnesses would violate due process.
Justice Hamza Muazu has adjourned the matter until March 20, 2025, to deliver a ruling on the application.
Emefiele’s Trial: The Core Allegations
The former CBN governor faces 20 charges, including:
✅ Criminal breach of trust
✅ Forgery
✅ Conspiracy
✅ Corrupt advantages to private companies
The EFCC accuses Emefiele of using his position to favor April 1616 Nigeria Ltd and Architekon Nigeria Ltd in procurement deals during his tenure.
Key Witness Testimony Challenges EFCC’s Case
During Monday’s proceedings, the 10th prosecution witness, Salawu Gana, testified that the award of CBN vehicle procurement contracts to April 1616 followed due process.
Gana, former Head of the CBN Procurement Unit, made key statements under cross-examination:
🔹 Contracts complied with procurement laws and CBN guidelines
🔹 April 1616 won based on lowest bid pricing
🔹 Emefiele merely approved the board’s recommendations
🔹 Emefiele was NOT a member of the CBN Tenders Board
🔹 No evidence of financial benefit to Emefiele
Gana confirmed that neither he nor the five procurement officers who vetted the bid have been charged by the EFCC. He also admitted there is no documented proof linking Emefiele to April 1616’s bank account or business operations.
What’s Next?
With the EFCC pushing for additional witnesses and Emefiele’s defense resisting, the court’s March 20 ruling will be pivotal in shaping the trajectory of this high-profile trial.
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