Court Grants EFCC Request to Present Overseas Witnesses in Emefiele Trial

In a significant development, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Maitama has granted the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) permission to present two key witnesses virtually in the trial of former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele.

Justice Maryanne Anenih made the ruling on Thursday, allowing the witnesses, currently based in the United States, to testify via video link.

The EFCC is prosecuting Emefiele on a six-count charge, including allegations of unlawfully printing new naira notes. The permission for virtual testimony marks a notable step forward in the high-profile case, as EFCC seeks to strengthen its prosecution.

EFCC’s counsel, A. O. Mohammed, informed the court that the two witnesses are crucial to the case but are unable to attend physically due to their location in the U.S.A.

“We are requesting that these witnesses be allowed to testify through a video link, as they are presently abroad,” he stated.

Justice Anenih ruled in favour of the EFCC’s application, setting October 17 for the continuation of the trial. The decision followed the testimony of Edward Adamu, a former Deputy Governor of Corporate Services at the CBN, who was the prosecution’s fourth witness.

The case continues to generate public interest, as it centres around the controversial printing of new naira notes under Emefiele’s tenure at the CBN.