Emefiele opposes EFCC’s bid to call more witnesses as court adjourns ruling

Embattled former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, has urged the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja to bar the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from presenting additional witnesses beyond the 10 initially listed in his ongoing procurement fraud trial.

Emefiele’s lead counsel, Matthew Burkaa (SAN), argued that since the EFCC had only submitted 10 witnesses in its proof of evidence, the commission should not be allowed to introduce more.

However, EFCC’s prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), opposed the motion, asserting that additional testimonies were necessary to ensure a fair and thorough trial.

Oyedepo maintained that preventing the EFCC from calling more witnesses would violate its right to a fair hearing.

After hearing arguments from both sides on Monday, Justice Hamza Muazu adjourned the case to March 20 for a ruling.

Trial Developments and Witness Testimony

Emefiele faces 20 charges, including criminal breach of trust, forgery, and conspiracy under case number FCT/HC/CR/577/2023. He is accused of abusing his position as CBN governor to grant corrupt advantages to two companies—April 1616 Nigeria Ltd and Architekon Nigeria Ltd.

During Monday’s proceedings, the 10th prosecution witness, Salawu Gana, testified that the contract awarded to April 1616 for vehicle procurement followed due process and complied with procurement laws and CBN guidelines.

Under cross-examination by Emefiele’s lawyer, Gana explained that the CBN’s Procurement Department reviewed and vetted bids before awarding the contract to April 1616, which had submitted the lowest quotation. He stated that Emefiele’s approval was based on the CBN Tenders Board’s recommendations.

Gana further confirmed that:

• The vehicles were delivered, and April 1616 was paid based on the board’s recommendations.
• Emefiele was not a member of the CBN Tenders Board.
• Neither he nor the five procurement officers involved in recommending April 1616 had been charged by the EFCC.
• He had seen no evidence linking Emefiele to payments from April 1616’s bank account.
• Emefiele was neither a director, shareholder, nor signatory to April 1616’s bank account, as verified by the company’s registration certificate.
• Emefiele did not influence the procurement process through calls or messages.

Gana added that he reported directly to his supervisor, Mr. Ekanem Akpan, not to Emefiele.

During the session, EFCC counsel Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN) submitted bundles of exhibits detailing the bidding process for 45 vehicle supply contracts awarded by the CBN to April 1616, RT Briscoe, and Globe Motors.

In his testimony, Gana reiterated that April 1616 secured the contracts because it offered the lowest quotations.

The case continues on March 20, when the court is expected to rule on Emefiele’s motion to restrict additional EFCC witnesses.