The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has requested the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja to allow two of its witnesses, currently based in the United States, to testify via video link in the ongoing trial of former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele.
The EFCC made this known on its official X handle in Friday.
During the court session on Thursday, October 17, 2024, prosecution counsel, Abass Mohammed, informed Justice Maryanne Anenih that his legal team faced challenges in bringing the witnesses, identified as I.E. Obiora and Aisha Ahmed, to Nigeria. As a result, they sought permission for the witnesses to give oral evidence remotely.
“We have filed a motion seeking the court’s indulgence to allow the oral evidence of the two witnesses to be taken via Zoom or any other video platform,” Mohammed told the court.
The EFCC is prosecuting Emefiele on charges of disobedience to legal directives and illegal actions, including allegations that his controversial naira redesign policy caused public harm.
In response to the prosecution’s motion, defence counsel A. Labi-Lawal expressed no objection but sought clarification on whether these would be the last witnesses for the prosecution.
“We are not opposing the motion, but we would like to confirm if these are the only witnesses left to testify,” Labi-Lawal said.
Mohammed clarified that additional witnesses would be called in the trial and that the U.S.-based witnesses were part of an ongoing review of the prosecution’s case strategy.
Following the arguments, Justice Anenih granted the prosecution’s request and adjourned the trial to November 14, November 26, December 4, 2024, and January 21, 2025.
