The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the trial of Godwin Emefiele, former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to June 24.
Emefiele is standing trial before Justice Hamza Muazu, sitting in Maitama, Abuja, on an amended 20-count charge bordering on a criminal breach of trust, forgery, abuse of office, conspiracy to obtain money by false pretence, and obtaining money by false pretences.
He is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on behalf of the Nigerian government. The embattled Emefiele was, among others, alleged to have knowingly obtained by false pretence the sum of $6,230,000 purportedly meant for international election observers for the 2023 general elections.
The matter could not proceed on Thursday due to the absence of the prosecutor, Rotimi Oyedepo SAN, who sent a letter to the court requesting an adjournment, though the former CBN boss was also absent in court.
When the case was called, neither the prosecution counsel nor the defendant were in court. However, Emefiele was represented by one of his counsels. I.D Ahmed, who represented the defendant, told the court that the prosecution served him a letter praying for an adjournment.
He also apologised to the court for the absence of his client. Hamza Muazu, presiding judge, said: “Because you have a letter of adjournment from the prosecution does not mean the defendant should not be in court.” Muazu then adjourned until June 24 and June 25 for continuation of trial.
