Court Fixes Nov 27 to Rule on Emefiele Trial Witness Eligibility
An Abuja High Court on Wednesday adjourned until November 27 to rule on whether a witness from the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (OAGF) can testify in the trial of former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Godwin Emefiele.
Emefiele is facing 20 amended charges, including criminal breach of trust, forgery, conspiracy, and obtaining money by false pretence while serving as CBN governor.
He allegedly awarded six vehicle supply contracts to April 1616, a company partly owned by a CBN staff member, Sa’adatu Ramalan Yaro, between 2018 and 2022, totaling N1.2 billion. He has pleaded not guilty.
During the resumed hearing, Emefiele’s lawyer, Mathew Burkaa SAN, objected to the prosecution calling its 11th witness, Alvan Grumman, saying his name appeared in an additional proof of evidence filed on October 15, 2024, which the court struck out in March.
Burkaa argued that since the prosecution has appealed that ruling, allowing Grumman to testify would amount to an abuse of court process.
Prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo SAN, countered that the March ruling only concerned witnesses Tommy Odama and Ifeanyi Omeke, not Grumman, who was the investigator in the case and possessed critical material facts.
He urged the court to overrule the objection.
After listening to arguments, Justice Hamza Muazu adjourned the case until November 27 to rule on the objection and continue the trial.
Oyedepo also told the court that the prosecution had filed separate applications to subpoena Odama and Omeke, whose testimony was essential.
Burkaa argued the subpoenas, filed by the EFCC rather than the OAGF, should be refused, saying the prosecution could not return to the court on the same matter after filing an appeal.
The court reserved ruling on the subpoena applications.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
