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Former CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, on Thursday, informed Justice Maryann Anenih of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, that its next set of witnesses in the ongoing trial of the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr Godwin Emefiele, will be giving their testimonies virtually, as they are not based in Nigeria.
EFCC’s counsel, Mr. A. O. Mohammed, told the court that the witnesses are based in the United States of America, and efforts to bring them to Nigeria to testify had been hindered by certain circumstances.
As a result, the witnesses will be giving their testimonies via Zoom or other live audio-visual communication platforms.
Emefiele was arraigned on May 15, by the EFCC on a four-count, before Justice Anenih, for initiating the redesign of the Naira in 2022 without the approval of the President and the Board of Directors of the apex bank.
Emefiele however denied the charge and was admitted to bail in the sum of N300 million.
The anti-graft agency accused Emefiele of approving the printing of various quantities of the new Naira notes without the recommendation of the Board of Central Bank and the strict approval of the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria which conduct of yours caused injury to the public and your thereby committed an offence.
Mr Mohammed while making his submission before the trial judge at today’s proceedings said “The matter is slated for continuation of trial however, we ran into a little issue in trying to bring down our witnesses, who are currently in the US.
“On that basis, we filed a motion seeking the court’s indulgence to take the oral evidence of the two witnesses via Zoom or any live audio-visual devices,” Mohammed said.
Emefiele’s lawyer, Mr Hakeem Labi-Lawal did not object to the prosecution counsel’s request.
He said, “We have no opposition to the motion but like to confirm from the prosecution if these are the only witnesses left in the case”.
Mohammed, however, responded that the prosecution would call more witnesses and would bring in the two witnesses next as part of their plan for conducting the trial.
The judge on her part also asked how the prosecution intends to achieve its goal giving that the court does not have the facility for live audio-visual facilities.
The EFCC lawyer assured that the media team of the Commission will handle it.
Following the non-objection to the EFCC counsel’s application from the defence counsel, Justice Anenih okayed the virtual request of the anti-graft agency.
She proceeded to fix November 14, for the continuation of the trial.
