Court slams EFCC with N500,000 fine over repeated delays in Emefiele’s trial

A High Court in Abuja on Tuesday fined the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) N500,000 for repeated adjournments in the ongoing trial of Godwin Emefiele, former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Justice Hamza Muazu sanctioned the anti-graft agency after it failed to produce a key prosecution witness, DCP Edwin Okpoziakeo (PW13), resulting in another delay in proceedings.

Emefiele is facing charges bordering on criminal breach of trust, forgery, abuse of office, conspiracy, and obtaining money by false pretence during his tenure as CBN governor. He has pleaded not guilty to all counts.

The EFCC alleges that Emefiele fraudulently obtained $6.23 million purportedly meant for international election observers during the 2023 general election.

The agency also accused him of conferring undue advantages on two firms April 1616 Nigeria Ltd and Architekon Nigeria Ltd.

At the hearing, EFCC counsel, A.O. Mohammed, told the court that although the witness had been notified, he was unavailable due to administrative procedures.

Mohammed said he had been directed by Police authorities to formally request the witness’s release through the Inspector-General of Police and had complied.

He added that the witness later informed him that he had a personal legal matter in Gwagwalada, where his account was subject to a garnishee order, preventing his attendance.

Mohammed subsequently sought an adjournment to enable the prosecution present the witness.

However, defence counsel, Matthew Burkaa, opposed the application, arguing that the EFCC had exceeded the number of adjournments allowed under Section 396(3) and (4) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, which limits parties to five adjournments from arraignment to judgment.

Burkaa told the court that the prosecution had already been granted eight adjournments since 2023, despite requesting an accelerated hearing, and urged the court to refuse further delays.

In his ruling, Justice Muazu agreed that the prosecution had exceeded the statutory limit but noted that the court retains discretion to grant adjournments in the interest of justice, particularly in cases involving key investigators.

The judge, however, faulted the EFCC for delaying proceedings and imposed a N500,000 fine on the agency.

The matter was adjourned to April 27, 2026 for continuation of trial.