A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, Thursday granted permission to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for its two additional witnesses to give evidence virtually in the charges against former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Godwin Emefiele.
The two witnesses, who are in the United Kingdom, were permitted by Justice Maryanne Anenih at the last hearing to testify digitally at a date to be fixed.
The EFCC’s lead counsel, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, had informed the court of his intention to call two additional witnesses that would testify in the trial of Emefiele and establish charges against him.
The senior lawyer also told the court that he had filed additional proof of evidence that would be placed before the court to substantiate the charges.
Raising objection, Emefiele’s lead counsel, Mr Olalekan Ojo, SAN, rejected the move by the anti-graft agency, saying the request was informal.
He argued further that FCT High Court, being a court of record, the EFCC ought to file a formal application stating clearly names of the two witnesses, what they intend to say in court and reasons for their preference to give evidence virtually.
Ojo’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 request permitting the anti-graft agency to conduct its trial of Emefiele in respect of the two witnesses virtually.