The Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos State, on Friday, adjourned until May 9, 2024, for defence to study additional proof of evidence submitted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against the former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele.
Emefiele was charged with $4.5 billion and N2.8 billion fraud.
The presiding judge, Justice Rahman Oshodi, in his short ruling, said he had considered the submissions of both parties and was satisfied with the reasons given by the defence for adjournment.
Justice Oshodi said: “I have considered the conflicting submissions regarding whether I should adjourn for further continuation of trial or not.
“I am satisfied with the reasons given by the defence.
“For the adjournment sought, I grant it.
“I adjourn until May 9 for continuation of trial.”
Earlier, Emefiele’s counsel, Olalekan Ojo (SAN), informed the court that the prosecution had filed an additional proof of evidence and he needed enough time to go through it.
Court fixes May 15 for EFCC to arraign Emefiele on fresh charge
Ojo argued that Emefiele had not seen the document and that justice rushed was justice crushed.
The lawyer said: “I am constrained at this point to ask your lordship to do justice, the proof must be served early enough but I was being served this morning.
“Defence may find anything useful in the additional proof of evidence to cross-examine the witness in the box.
“I humbly urge the court to adjourn this matter so that I can thoroughly go through it and study it.”
EFCC counsel Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN) told the court that the second prosecution witness was in court for the continuation of cross-examination and that he had served the defence the statement of one John Adetola, as an additional proof of evidence.
Oyedepo, while opposing the submissions of the defence counsel, prayed the court for the continuation of the cross-examination of the second prosecution witness.
A former Director of Information Technology of CBN, John Ayoh, on April 29, narrated how he allegedly collected $600,000 for contract gratification for Emefiele.
The EFCC had, on April 8, arraigned Emefiele on 23 counts bordering on abuse of office, accepting gratifications, corrupt demand, receiving property fraudulently obtained, and conferring corrupt advantage.
His co-defendant was also arraigned on three counts bordering on acceptance of gift by agents.
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