A Special Offences Court in Ikeja, Lagos State, has adjourned the trial of former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, until May 9.
News About Nigeria reports that the adjournment is to allow his defence team to study new evidence submitted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Emefiele is facing charges of $4.5 billion and N2.8 billion in fraud.
Justice Rahman Oshodi granted the adjournment after considering submissions from both the prosecution and defence teams.
The defence team, led by Olalekan Ojo and Adeyinka Kotoye (SAN), had requested more time to review the new evidence, which was served on them on the morning of the court sitting.
Ojo argued that Emefiele had not seen the document and that “justice rushed is justice crushed.”
Kotoye also expressed concerns about the prosecution’s conduct, saying it was unfair to serve new evidence mid-trial.
The EFCC counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, opposed the adjournment, saying the defence was trying to delay the case unnecessarily.
He explained that the new evidence was part of the original proof of evidence served on the defence on April 4 and that the prosecution had only provided additional context.
Justice Oshodi, however, granted the adjournment, saying he was satisfied with the reasons given by the defence.
Emefiele was suspended as CBN governor by President Tinubu in June 2023, when the latter stepped into office.
Emefiele was subsequently arrested and charged in July 2023 and later released on bail after being re-arrested by the Department of State Services.
Aside from the case in Lagos, there is an ongoing trial involving Emefiele at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja.
In the Abuja case, the anti-corruption commission accused the former CBN governor of criminal conspiracy, conferring undue advantage, and breach of trust, among others.
