Emefiele has asked the court to close the prosecution’s case if remaining witnesses are not produced in ongoing fraud trial.
Former Central Bank of Nigeria governor Godwin Emefiele has asked a court in Abuja to close the prosecution’s case if its remaining witnesses are not brought forward.
His lawyer made the request during proceedings at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is prosecuting him on a 20-count charge linked to alleged procurement fraud.
He is accused of criminal breach of trust, forgery, abuse of office, and obtaining money by false pretence.
The case also involves allegations around funds meant for international election observers during the 2023 general election.
Emefiele has pleaded not guilty.
At the hearing, an EFCC investigator testified that $6.3 billion was released from the Central Bank for election-related funding.
The witness said investigation showed signatures of former President Muhammadu Buhari and former SGF Boss Mustapha were forged.
He also said forensic checks confirmed the findings.
Under cross-examination, the witness said Emefiele’s signature was not forensically tested.
The defence argued that the prosecution had already called multiple investigative officers and said further repetition was unnecessary.
Emefiele’s lawyer asked the court to close the prosecution’s case if it failed to produce its remaining witnesses.
The judge told both sides to wait for final arguments and directed the prosecution to secure its witnesses.
The case was adjourned.
