An Abuja High Court has fined the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) N500,000 for repeated delays in the ongoing trial of former Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele.
Justice Hamza Muazu imposed the fine on Tuesday after the anti-graft agency failed to produce a key witness, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Edwin Okpoziakeo, in court as scheduled.
The absence of the witness led to another adjournment in the high-profile case.
Emefiele is facing multiple charges, including criminal breach of trust, forgery, abuse of office, conspiracy, and obtaining money by false pretence.
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The EFCC alleged that he fraudulently obtained $6.23 million, purportedly meant for international election observers during the 2023 general election.
The commission also accused him of conferring corrupt advantages on two firms—April 1616 Nigeria Ltd and Architekon Nigeria Ltd. However, Emefiele has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
At the hearing, EFCC counsel A.O. Mohammed told the court that the witness could not attend due to administrative procedures and a personal court matter in Gwagwalada, Abuja.
He requested an adjournment to enable the prosecution present the witness.
However, defence counsel, Matthew Burkaa, opposed the request, citing provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, which limits the number of adjournments allowed in criminal trials.
He argued that the EFCC had already exceeded the permitted number of adjournments.
In his ruling, Justice Muazu agreed with the defence that the delays were excessive but noted that the court still had discretion to grant adjournments in the interest of justice. He stressed that the testimony of the investigator remained crucial to the case.
The judge, however, sanctioned the EFCC with a N500,000 fine for delaying proceedings despite earlier assurances of an accelerated trial.
The case was subsequently adjourned to April 27, 2026, for continuation of hearing.
