Proceedings in the ongoing trial of former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, may face fresh delays due to uncertainty surrounding the availability of a key prosecution witness.
Sources familiar with the matter indicate that the prosecution team may soon inform the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court that Jim Obazee, a special investigator appointed by President Bola Tinubu, is currently unavailable to testify in the case. His testimony is linked to allegations involving a $6.23 million discrepancy connected to the CBN’s Abuja branch.
The development is expected to prompt yet another request for adjournment in the already prolonged trial. However, legal observers note that the court, presided over by Justice Hamza Muazu, has previously expressed concern over repeated delays, having granted several adjournments beyond the expected statutory timeframe.
At the last sitting on March 17, Justice Muazu issued a firm directive to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), instructing the agency to present its principal witness at the next hearing date and warning of potential consequences for non-compliance.
According to a judicial source who requested anonymity, the prosecution had earlier considered calling a police officer to testify but later dropped the plan. The decision, the source suggested, may have been influenced by concerns about the strength and credibility of such testimony in a high-profile financial case.
Meanwhile, EFCC officials are reportedly still in contact with Obazee, who is said to be willing to testify if formally approached through the appropriate official channels.
As the case continues to draw national attention, the uncertainty surrounding key testimony raises further questions about when substantive proceedings will fully resume.
