Justice Hamza Muazu of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Maitama, on Thursday stopped the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from calling three subpoenaed witnesses to testify in the ongoing trial of former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele.
Emefiele is standing trial for alleged abuse of office and corruption.
At the resumed hearing of the case, the judge ruled on the oral application made by the prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), on the subpoenaed witnesses.
Muazu held that the name of the two witnesses, Tommy Odama and Ifeanyi Omeke, were earlier struck out.
He said the names of the witnesses were contained in his ruling of March 20 which struck out the prosecution’s additional proof of evidence in the case.
The judge held that the ruling was now a subject of appeal filed by the prosecution and pending before the Court of Appeal.
He said the court could not change its own ruling by allowing the subpoenaed witnesses to testify in the case.
The judge held that the prosecution should wait for the decision of the appellate court on the witnesses.
Justice Muazu also ruled on the objection of the eligibility of the 11th prosecution witness, Alvan Grumman, raised by the counsel for the defendant, Mr. Matthew Burkaa (SAN), at the October 22 sitting.
The judge held that having struck out the prosecution’s additional proof of evidence in the March 20 ruling, it was only right to wait for the outcome of the appeal.
“The court cannot allow the witness to testify though his name was not specifically mentioned in the said additional proof of evidence.
“The prosecution should rather wait for the decision of the appellate court to know if the witness is eligible to testify,” he held.
The judge subsequently adjourned the case till January 29, 2026 for continuation of hearing.
