The Ikeja Special Offences Court has adjourned the trial of former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, until May 9, to allow the defense to study additional proof of evidence submitted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Emefiele is facing charges of $4.5 billion and N2.8 billion fraud.Justice Rahman Oshodi granted the adjournment after considering the submissions of both parties.
The defense counsel, Olalekan Ojo (SAN), had requested more time to review the new evidence, stating that Emefiele had not seen the documents and that “justice rushed is justice crushed.”
The EFCC had filed an additional proof of evidence, which included a statement from one Mr. John Adetola. The prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), argued that the defense was aware of the evidence and had been served with the necessary documents. However, the defense claimed that they had only received the documents on the day of the hearing and needed more time to review them.
Oyedepo stated that the prosecution had acted diligently by providing the evidence and that the defense was trying to delay the case unnecessarily. He emphasized the importance of expeditious determination of the case, as society was interested in the outcome.
The case was adjourned until May 9 for the continuation of the trial.Recall that Emefiele was arraigned by the EFCC on 23 counts of abuse of office, accepting gratifications, corrupt demand, receiving property fraudulently obtained, and conferring corrupt advantage. His co-defendant was also arraigned on three counts of acceptance of gift by agents.
