The court adjourned Emefiele’s trial to May 9 as EFCC filed additional evidence

An Ikeja Special Crimes Court on Friday adjourned until May 9 for defense to study additional evidence filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele.
Emefiele was accused of fraud worth $4.5 billion and N2.8 billion.
Judge Rahman Oshodi, in his brief ruling, said he had considered the arguments of both sides and was satisfied with the reasons given by the defense for the adjournment.
He said: “I have considered the conflicting submissions as to whether I should adjourn the trial for further continuation of the trial or not.
“I am satisfied with the reasons given by the defense.
‘I give permission for the requested postponement.
“I adjourn until May 9 for continuation of the trial.”
Earlier, Mr. Olalekan Ojo (SAN), counsel to the ex-CBN Governor, had informed the court that the prosecution had filed additional evidence and that he needed sufficient time to go through it.
Ojo argued that Emefiele had not seen the document and that justice rushed was justice crushed.
‘I am compelled at this point to ask the gentleman to do justice. The proof should come early enough, but I was already served this morning.
“The defense may find something useful in the additional evidence to cross-examine the witness in the box.
“I humbly request the court to adjourn this matter so that I can thoroughly review and study it,” he said.
The second counsel, Mr. Adeyinka Kotoye (SAN), also agreed with the argument of the first counsel.
Kotoye argued that prosecution would only investigate in this part of the world, even though a case was already pending in court.
He therefore urged the court to adjourn the matter in the interest of justice and adequate opportunity to consider the additional evidence.
“I urge you not to ambush this process and put an end to it.
“I also apply your lordship mandate to the prosecutor to provide us with all relevant materials.
“Therefore, in the spirit of fairness, I request you to adjourn the matter,” Kotoye said.
The counsel for the EFCC, led by Mr Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), had informed the court that the second prosecution witness was in court for the continuation of cross-examination and that he had presented to the defense the statement of one Mr John Adetola had served, as additional explanation. proof of proof.
Oyedepo, while opposing the counsel’s arguments, had prayed the court to continue cross-examination of the prosecution’s second witness.
He said it was unfair for a senior lawyer of Nigeria, whom he held in high esteem, to describe his team and its activities as prosecutorial dishonesty.
According to him, Adetola was a fifth prosecution witness in the evidence.
Oyedepo said Adetola’s statement was included in part two of what was served in defense on April 4.
He said: “In preparation for his testimony, which will not come out today or even on May 9, the prosecution, rather than waiting for the defense to formally make a demand to us about what is in the device , forced me by careful prosecution to use the apparatus available for the defense.
“Sir, how does that amount to prosecutorial dishonesty?
“I plead with the defense not to delay this matter unnecessarily as we have a witness in the box who has given evidence and he is being cross-examined by the lead counsel.
“If the defense is angry because I presented them with the evidence today, we can withdraw it and submit it at a later day.”
The prosecutor told the court that the society was interested and monitoring the progress of the case.
“The society is interested, they are watching us, will this case be postponed based on the evidence of another man who is not the witness in the box?
“We do not rush or crush justice, but we help the oil of justice to rise steadily.
“A speedy decision of the matter is of utmost importance and we therefore urge you to allow the cross-examination,” Oyedepo said.
A former Director of Information Technology of the apex bank, Mr. John Ayoh, had on April 29, narrated how he allegedly raised $600,000 for contract fulfillment for Emefiele.
The EFCC had on April 8 charged Emefiele with 23 counts bordering on abuse of office, accepting bounties, corrupt demands, receiving fraudulently acquired property and granting corrupt benefits.
His co-suspect was also charged with three charges bordering on accepting a gift from officers.