Court Denies EFCC’s Request for More Evidence on Emefiele

EFCC’s Additional Evidence Against Emefiele Rejected by Court

​On March 20, 2025, the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja rejected the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) request to introduce additional evidence in the ongoing trial of former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele. The EFCC sought to add two new witnesses and their corresponding documents to bolster its case against Emefiele, who faces charges of alleged procurement fraud.

Justice Hamza Muazu ruled that permitting the EFCC to amend its evidence at this advanced stage of the trial would be prejudicial to the defendant and could infringe upon his right to a fair hearing. The judge emphasized that investigations should be concluded before charges are filed, not during an ongoing trial.

However, the court declined Emefiele’s request to strike out the charges entirely, stating that both parties had already engaged substantially with the case, and it was in the interest of justice to proceed to a conclusion based on the merits of the existing evidence.