A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Maitama has acceded to the request by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to be allowed to present two witnesses virtually in the trial of former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele.
In a ruling on Thursday, Justice Maryanne Anenih granted EFCC’s application in which it sought the court’s indulgence to be allowed to field the witnesses, who are currently abroad, through video link.
Emefiele is being prosecuted by the EFCC on a six-count charge in which he is among others, accused of unlawfully printing new naira notes.
The court, last week adjourned to October 17 for the continuation of trial the prosecution’s fourth witness, Edward Adamu, a former Deputy Governor, Corporate Services at the CBN concluded his testimony.
At the mention of the case on Thursday, EFCC’s lawyer, A. O. Mohammed told the court that the two witnesses the prosecution planned to call next are based in the United States of America (USA).
Mohammed said: “The matter is slated for continuation of trial however,we ran into a little issue in trying to bring down our witnesses, who are currently in the US.
“On that basis, we filed a motion seeking the court’s indulgence to take the oral evidence of the two witnesses via Zoom or any live audio-visual devices.”
Emefiele’s lawyer, Hakeem Labi-Lawal said the defence was not opposing the application, but was concerned in knowing if the two witnesses were the last the prosecution planned to call.
Responding, Mohammed said the prosecution still have more witnesses, but chose to call the two witnesses in line with its case plan.
The judge then asked the prosecuting lawyer how he intends to present his witnesses virtually since the court does not have the facilities for live audio-visual proceedings.
Mohammed said EFCC’s media team will handle it.
Justice Anenih then adjourned till November 14, for continuation of trial.