A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has fined the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) ₦500,000 for repeated delays in the ongoing trial of former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele, over an alleged $6.23 million fraud.
The ruling was delivered on March 17, 2026, by Justice Hamza Muazu at the FCT High Court in Abuja after the EFCC failed to present its next prosecution witness, stalling proceedings. The prosecution had sought another adjournment due to the unavailability of a Deputy Commissioner of Police involved in the investigation, but the defence opposed it, noting the EFCC had already exceeded the legally permitted number of adjournments.
Justice Muazu granted a final adjournment in the interest of justice but imposed the ₦500,000 fine to emphasize the need for diligence in high-profile corruption cases.
Emefiele faces multiple charges including criminal breach of trust, forgery, and obtaining money under false pretence, all of which he has denied. The trial has been adjourned to April 27, 2026, for continuation.
