Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, has fined the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) N500,000 for repeatedly delaying the ongoing corruption trial of former Central Bank of Nigeria governor Godwin Emefiele. The ruling was delivered on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, by Justice Hamza Muazu, who also granted what he described as a final adjournment in the matter, while warning the prosecution to ensure compliance with court timelines as the case progresses.
The sanction followed the EFCC’s failure to produce its thirteenth prosecution witness, Deputy Commissioner of Police Edwin Okpoziakeo, who had been scheduled to testify on behalf of the agency. Prosecuting counsel explained that the witness was unable to attend because of a separate legal matter in Gwagwalada, where his bank account was involved in a garnishee order. The prosecution said it had taken steps to secure his attendance but the witness remained absent.
The defence, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Matthew Burkaa, strongly opposed the prosecution’s application for another adjournment, noting that the EFCC had already been granted about eight previous postponements since the trial began. Burkaa cited provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, which generally limit parties in a criminal trial to five adjournments from arraignment to judgment, and urged the court to refuse further delays, saying the agency had ample time to prepare and ensure its witnesses appeared as scheduled.
In delivering his ruling, Justice Muazu acknowledged that while the statutory limit on adjournments is clear, the court still retains discretion to grant postponements when necessary in the interest of justice, especially where a witness is material to the prosecution’s case. However, he also expressed concern at the repeated delays and their effect on the efficiency and dignity of the judicial process. To signal the court’s displeasure and deter further procrastination, he ordered the EFCC to pay N500,000 in costs and adjourned the trial until April 27 and 28, 2026, for the continuation of proceedings.
Emefiele’s trial has drawn significant public and media attention, largely because of the stature of the defendant and the seriousness of the allegations. The former CBN governor, who led Nigeria’s apex bank from 2014 until his suspension in 2023, is facing a 20-count amended indictment that includes criminal breach of trust, forgery, abuse of office, conspiracy, and obtaining by false pretence. Central among the charges is the allegation that he fraudulently obtained US$6.23 million, purportedly intended for payments to international election observers during the 2023 general elections, and conferred corrupt advantages on two companies, April 1616 Nigeria Ltd and Architekon Nigeria Ltd. Emefiele has entered a not-guilty plea to all counts and continues to contest the allegations.
The fine against the EFCC comes against a backdrop of broader legal challenges and procedural issues that have characterised Emefiele’s legal battles since his suspension and subsequent arrest. After his removal from office in 2023, he faced multiple investigations by the Department of State Services and the EFCC, with earlier charges relating to alleged abuse of office and foreign exchange mismanagement. Some of those initial charges were withdrawn or separately adjudicated, but the fraud case at the FCT High Court has remained a central focus of anti-corruption efforts in Nigeria.
Legal analysts say the court’s decision to penalise the EFCC for delays signals the judiciary’s determination to enforce procedural discipline in complex corruption trials. Frequent adjournments can erode public confidence in the justice system and prolong the resolution of matters involving significant public interest. By imposing a cost on the anti-graft agency, the court emphasised that all parties must adhere to schedules and respect the statutory frameworks governing criminal proceedings.
Observers note that while adjournments are not unusual in long-running trials, especially those involving multiple witnesses and extensive documentary evidence, the number of delays in the Emefiele case had become a source of frustration for both the court and the defence. The judge’s warning that the April hearing must proceed with the necessary witnesses in attendance reflects an effort to balance fairness to the prosecution with the need to advance the trial without undue interruption.
As the matter returns to court in April, the focus will be on whether the EFCC can present its remaining witnesses and complete its case against Emefiele. The defence is expected to press forward with cross-examinations and challenge aspects of the prosecution’s evidence, while maintaining that the former governor remains innocent until proven guilty. The outcome of the case, and the manner in which the prosecution manages its remaining witnesses and evidence, will be closely watched by legal practitioners, anti-corruption advocates, and the public, given its implications for accountability, governance, and the rule of law in Nigeria.
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