Justice Hamza Muazu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja, has rejected additional proof of evidence submitted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against former CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, in his procurement fraud trial.
The judge ruled that allowing fresh evidence filed over a year after the initial charge would deny Emefiele a fair trial and amount to “trial by ambush.”
The EFCC’s additional proof, filed on October 15, 2024, sought to introduce new witnesses, Tommy Odama John and Ifeanyi Omeke, whose statements were made a year after the charges were filed in August 2023.
The judge held that the position of the law is that the charge was filed upon the completion of investigation and prima facie case established against any defendant in a criminal matter, adding that in the instant case, the contrary is the case.
However, Justice Muazu refused to strike out the case, stating that the trial was near completion and should proceed to judgment.
The trial will resume on June 3, 2025.
