EFCC: Emefiele Trial Stalls Again As Key Witness Fails To Appear

There are strong indications that the ongoing trial of former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, may experience additional delays due to uncertainty over the availability of a key prosecution witness.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Sources close to the proceedings revealed that the prosecution is expected to notify the Federal Capital Territory High Court that Jim Obazee, a special investigator appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, may not be available to testify as scheduled.

Obazee is billed to give evidence in the case involving an alleged $6.23 million discrepancy tied to the Central Bank’s Abuja branch.

If confirmed in court, his absence could lead the prosecution to request another adjournment.

At the last hearing on March 17, trial judge Justice Hamza Muazu expressed concern over the repeated delays affecting the case.

He had ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to ensure its principal witness appears at the next hearing, warning that failure to do so could attract consequences.

Legal observers note that the court has already granted multiple adjournments beyond normal expectations, raising questions about the pace of the trial.

According to Vanguard, a judicial source said the prosecution previously considered calling a police officer to testify but later abandoned the plan.

This, it was suggested, may have been due to concerns about the strength and credibility of such evidence in a high-profile matter.

Meanwhile, EFCC officials are said to be in contact with Obazee, who reportedly remains willing to testify once formally contacted through proper legal procedures.

However, uncertainty still surrounds whether the prosecution will comply with the court’s directive at the next sitting or seek yet another postponement.