The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has requested permission from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Maitama, Abuja, to allow two witnesses based in the United States to testify virtually in the ongoing trial of Godwin Emefiele, the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
During the court session presided over by Justice Maryanne Anenih, prosecution counsel Abass Mohammed sought the court’s approval for the witnesses, I.E Obiora and Aisha Ahmed, to provide their testimonies via video links, citing logistical challenges in bringing them to Nigeria.
“We filed a motion seeking my lord’s indulgence to take the oral evidence of the two witnesses via Zoom or any other video links, my lord,” Mohammed told the court.
The EFCC is prosecuting Emefiele on a four-count charge that includes disobedience of legal directives and actions deemed illegal, all related to the controversial naira redesign policy. According to the commission, Emefiele’s alleged actions have caused harm to the public.
Mohammed emphasized that the motion had been served on the defence counsels, adding, “subject to my lord’s permission, we seek my lord’s permission to move the motion.”
In response, the defence counsel, A. Labi-Lawal, expressed no opposition to the request but sought clarification on whether these would be the final witnesses to be called by the prosecution.
“We are not opposing the motion, but we would like to confirm from the prosecution whether these are the only witnesses that are left in the trial, my lord,” he said.
Addressing the defence counsel’s query, Mohammed clarified that other witnesses would be called later, explaining that the two U.S.-based witnesses were part of a broader review of the prosecution’s case plan.
After hearing arguments from both parties, Justice Anenih granted the EFCC‘s request for virtual testimonies and adjourned the trial to the following dates: November 14, November 26, December 4, 2024, and January 21, 2025.
