Former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Godwin Emefiele, has asked an Abuja High Court to foreclose the federal government’s prosecution against him in his ongoing trial over alleged procurement fraud.
The request came after the prosecution team failed to appear in court during Tuesday’s proceedings.
Emefiele, who served as CBN governor from 2014 to 2023, is standing trial before Justice Hamza Muazu in a case marked CR/577/2023.
He faces an amended 20-count charge filed by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, which accuses him of criminal breach of trust, conspiracy, forgery, conferring corrupt advantage, and obtaining money by false pretence.
The charges allege that between 2018 and 2022, Emefiele abused his office by awarding six contracts worth over ₦1.21 billion for the supply of vehicles to April 1616 Investment Ltd., a company in which Sa’adatu Ramalan Yaro, a CBN staff member, is a director and shareholder. The prosecution argues that such acts violated procurement rules and conferred unlawful advantage.
At the resumed hearing, Emefiele’s counsel, Mathew Burkaa (SAN), urged the court to dismiss the prosecution’s case due to their failure to appear, despite knowing the adjourned date.
Burkaa noted that the trial had been scheduled for continuation, but lead prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), was absent and had not sent any representative.
Burkaa further informed the court that he was notified through a WhatsApp message from the court registrar about a letter seeking adjournment, purportedly submitted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
He, however, questioned the validity of such a request, stressing that the case was instituted by the Attorney-General’s office and not the EFCC.
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Expressing dissatisfaction, Burkaa said:
“The prosecution had earlier asked for accelerated hearing of this case, yet today no counsel appeared in court. My client and his legal team travelled all the way from Lagos to attend, only to find that the prosecution is absent. We therefore urge the court to foreclose the prosecution.”
Justice Muazu, while acknowledging the defence’s concerns, stated that the court would give the prosecution one final opportunity to present its case. He warned that should they fail to appear at the next adjourned date, the court would “do the needful.” The matter was adjourned until October 22, 2025, for continuation.
Emefiele has consistently maintained his innocence, pleading not guilty to all charges. His case has been one of the most high-profile corruption trials in recent Nigerian history, drawing national attention due to his prominent role in economic policy and financial management during his tenure.
The development raises questions about prosecutorial diligence and the coordination between the Attorney-General’s office and the EFCC in handling corruption cases involving politically exposed persons.
NAN
