The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court has rejected the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) attempt to introduce fresh evidence against former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, in his ongoing fraud trial.
The EFCC sought to file additional proof of evidence on October 15, 2024, more than a year after the initial charges were filed in August 2023. The agency also attempted to introduce two new witnesses, Tommy Odama John and Ifeanyi Omeke, whose statements were made in August 2024, well after the trial had begun.
Justice Hamza Muazu ruled on Thursday that the EFCC’s move amounted to “trial by ambush,” violating fair trial principles since Emefiele was not confronted with the new evidence during the investigation. The judge noted that the prosecution had already amended its case in February 2024 to accommodate testimonies from former SGF Boss Mustapha and one Bamayi Haruna Mairiga, making further additions unjust.
While rejecting the EFCC’s new evidence, the court declined to strike out the case, insisting that the trial—already near completion—should be concluded on merit. The judge also refused to remove Mustapha and Mairiga’s testimonies from the record despite Emefiele’s objections.
The trial continues on June 3, 2025.