The trial of Godwin Emefiele, the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Maitama has been adjourned to June 24.
The case, which was scheduled for hearing on Thursday, saw neither the prosecution counsel nor the defendant present in court.
However, Emefiele was represented by one of his counsels.
I.D Ahmed, who appeared on behalf of the defendant, informed the court that the prosecution had requested an adjournment through a letter.
He also apologised to the court for Emefiele’s absence.
I.D.siding Judge Hamza Muazu, while acknowledging the letter of adjournment from the prosecution, said that the defendant’s presence in court remains essential.
He subsequently adjourned the trial until June 24 and June 25 for continuation.
The federal government, on January 18, amended the criminal charges against the former CBN governor, increasing the counts from six to 20.
The charges include allegations of criminal breach of trust, forgery, conspiracy to commit forgery, procurement fraud, and conspiracy to commit a felony.
During the previous hearing, the court modified Emefiele’s bail condition, allowing him to travel within Nigeria but prohibiting international travel during the case’s pendency.
Among the allegations, the EFCC accused Emefiele of forging a document titled ‘RE: PRESIDENTIAL DIRECTIVE ON FOREIGN ELECTION OBSERVER MISSIONS’ in January 2023.
Additionally, it is alleged that Emefiele, in connivance with Odoh Ocheme, who is currently at large, obtained $6.2 million from the CBN under false pretences.
In February, News About Nigeria reported that the EFCC declared Margaret, Emefiele’s wife, wanted for money laundering.
The EFCC stated that the wife of the former CBN governor, alongside a CBN official, Eric Odoh, a businesswoman, Anita Omoile, and a Bureau de Change operator, Jonathan Omoile, had conspired with the former CBN governor to convert huge sums of money belonging to the Federal Government of Nigeria and, in the process, committed felony to wit.
According to the Crimes Commission, this includes obtaining money by false pretences and stealing, which is contrary to and punishable under Sections 411, 287, and 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State.
