The high-profile trial of former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, was plunged into disarray on Tuesday as the prosecution team failed to appear in court, prompting a stern warning from the trial judge, Justice Hamza Muazu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja.
The absence of the prosecutors from the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), who had sought an accelerated hearing, left the defendant and his legal team waiting in vain and forced an adjournment of the case.
Emefiele is facing an amended 20-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust, conferring corrupt advantage, forgery, and obtaining money by false pretence, to which he has pleaded not guilty.
The courtroom atmosphere grew tense as it became clear that lead prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), and his team were absent. Emefiele’s counsel, Mathew Burkaa (SAN), expressed profound frustration, informing the court that his team and his client had travelled from Lagos specifically for the hearing, the date of which had been known since June 27.
Burkaa revealed a further procedural anomaly that deepened the confusion. He stated that the court’s registrar had informed him via a WhatsApp message of a letter seeking an adjournment. However, this letter was purportedly sent by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and not by the AGF’s office, which is the official prosecuting authority in the case.
“The prosecution is not here. My lord, we were in court on the last date, and this matter was adjourned till today for the continuation of the trial. The prosecution that applied for accelerated hearing is not in court,” Burkaa stated.
He strongly opposed any adjournment based on the EFCC’s letter, questioning its validity. “The matter is between the AGF and the defendant. I’m surprised that the EFCC, which is not a party in this matter, is the one writing for an adjournment. We are opposed to the adjournment.”
The defence counsel’s objections highlighted the prosecution’s inconsistent approach, having previously pushed for a speedy trial only to be absent when the court convened.
After listening to the submissions, Justice Muazu did not hide his displeasure. While acknowledging the defence’s grievances, he decided to grant an adjournment, but with a clear and final warning to the prosecution. The judge declared that the court would give the prosecution “one last opportunity” to present its case, emphasizing that he would “do the needful” if the team failed to appear at the next scheduled date. This phrasing is widely interpreted in legal circles as a warning that the court may dismiss the charges for lack of diligent prosecution.
The allegations against Emefiele are grave, including accusations that he abused his office by awarding contracts worth N1.2 billion for the supply of vehicles to a company, April 1616, linked to a CBN staff member, Sa’adatu Ramalan Yaro, between 2018 and 2022.
Justice Muazu subsequently adjourned the case to October 22 and 23, 2025, for the continuation of the trial. All eyes will now be on the AGF’s office to see if it can rectify this procedural misstep and proceed diligently with a case that has significant implications for Nigeria’s fight against corruption.
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