The ongoing prosecution of former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele, faced a brief pause on Tuesday as Justice Hamza Mu’azu of the FCT High Court granted the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) a final adjournment to present its last witness.
Emefiele is currently defending himself against an amended 20-count charge involving allegations of criminal breach of trust, forgery, conspiracy, and obtaining money by false pretense.
The prosecution’s case is predicated on the allegation that Emefiele unlawfully obtained $6.23 million under the guise that the funds were intended for international election observers during the 2023 general elections.
During Tuesday’s proceedings, prosecution counsel Abbas Mohammed explained that the final witness, Eloho Edwin Okboziakpo, a police officer and lead investigator in the case was unavailable due to his involvement in separate legal proceedings in Gwagwalada.
The EFCC informed the court that it had initiated formal correspondence with the Inspector-General of Police to ensure the witness’s release for the next hearing.
While defense counsel Mathieu Burkaa opposed the delay, Justice Mu’azu ruled that the investigator’s testimony was vital for a just determination of the case.
However, the judge issued a stern warning that this would be the final adjournment permitted, scheduling the continuation of the trial for April 27 and 28, 2026.