News
Court approves virtual testimony for EFCC witnesses in Emefiele’s trial
Justice Maryam Anenih of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court on Thursday approved virtual testimonies for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) witnesses in the trial of former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele.
The two witnesses, who live in the United Kingdom, were permitted to testify virtually by the judge after the EFCC counsel, Rotimi Oyedepio (SAN), applied orally to the court.
Oyedepo had informed the court of his intention to call two additional witnesses that would testify in the trial.
The counsel said he filed additional proof of evidence that would be placed before the court to substantiate the charges.
Emefiele’s counsel, Olalekan Ojo (SAN), objected to the new move by the commission to make the request informally.
He argued that FCT High Court was a court of records.
READ ALSO: Court orders final forfeiture of another $1.4m linked to Emefiele
Ojo argued that EFCC ought to have filed a formal application stating clearly names of the two witnesses.
The counsel’s attention was however drawn to the application for additional proof of evidence where the names of the two witnesses were mentioned and reasons for adoption of virtual evidence were given.
Justice Anenih subsequently granted the commission’s request for virtual testimony of the two witnesses.
The EFCC in 2023 arraigned Emefiele for alleged abuse of office and other offences during his tenure as CBN governor.
Join the conversation
Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism
Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.
As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.
If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.
Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.
SPECIAL REPORT: In Sokoto, classrooms overtaken by goats, reptiles, as insecurity, lack of teachers, govt inaction push children out of school
SHEHU MUHAMMAD SHEHU reports on how insecurity, government inaction and lack of qualified teachers has significantly forced up the number...
INVESTIGATION: Abia residents in pains, as contractor abandons erosion control project after collecting N185m
Fresh from fashion school in 2022, Onuka Kalu planned to convert one of his father’s two shops, where he formerly...
Trump halts $50m Gaza aid, cites ‘condoms in Gaza’ claim
In a sweeping move to reassess U.S. foreign aid spending, President Donald Trump has frozen a $50 million assistance package...
INVESTIGATION: In Zamfara, forgotten Health Center throws community into health crisis
In the late evening of Friday, September 14, 2024, shortly after the Maghrib prayer, Bashir Muhammad, a 34-year-old father of...
INVESTIGATION: Insufficient teachers, learning materials worsen education access in Kwara communities
Qudus, a Junior Secondary School (JSS 2) pupil, would sit the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) in a year to...