Nigeria: Emefiele trial may stall again over key witness absence

By Zuleihat Owuiye, Mamos Nigeria

The trial of former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor Godwin Emefiele may face further delays due to uncertainty over a key prosecution witness.

Sources said the prosecution may inform the Federal Capital Territory High Court that Jim Obazee, the special investigator appointed by President Bola Tinubu, is unavailable to testify in the case involving an alleged $6.23 million discrepancy at the CBN’s Abuja branch.

The development could lead to another adjournment request. However, Justice Hamza Muazu has previously raised concerns about repeated delays after granting several adjournments beyond the statutory guideline.

At the last sitting on March 17, Justice Muazu ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to produce its principal witness at the next adjourned date, warning of possible consequences for non-compliance.

A judiciary source, speaking anonymously, said the prosecution had considered calling a police officer as a witness but later dropped the plan. The source added that concerns over the weight and credibility of such testimony in a high-profile case may have influenced the decision.

Meanwhile, EFCC officials have reportedly contacted Obazee, who is said to be willing to testify if formally approached through the appropriate channels.