The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has submitted extra proof of proof in opposition to the previous governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele.
During the court listening to on Friday, Emefiele’s counsel, Olalekan Ojo requested an adjournment to review the new proof before continuing the cross-examination of John Ikechukwu Ayoh, the second prosecution witness.
Ojo accused the EFCC counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, of engaging in “trial by ambush” and never being diligent of their prosecution.
He advised the court that he simply acquired the extra proof of evidence from the EFCC.
He stated the new proof of proof was filed on Thursday, saying he wanted to review the extra proof of proof to cross-examine the prosecution witness.
He advised the court, “My lord, there’s a must adjourn this case. We had been simply served these large documents by the EFCC in court.
“The prosecution retains dumping paperwork on us at each sitting. That is trial by ambush.”
Sharing the identical sentiment, the counsel to the second defendant, Adeyinka Kotoye, additionally stated he was served the extra proof of proof 5 minutes after arriving in courtroom.
In his defence, Oyedepo argued that they offered paperwork from a former aide to Emefiele in preparation for his testimony, saying it didn’t have an effect on the continued cross-examination.
He added that it was unfair to explain the service of processes by the prosecution as “ambush by trial”.
Oyedepo emphasised that the extra proof submitted had been paperwork obtained from the phone of a former aide to Emefiele, John Adetona, who is about to testify as a witness.
He additionally clarified that these paperwork had been offered upfront for Adetona’s future testimony and that he was not scheduled to seem in court on the current or upcoming listening to on May 9.
“The witness (Adetona) whose device the documents had been printed from has not given proof earlier than the court,” Oyedepo stated.
“In preparation for his testimony which isn’t arising in the present day or Could 9, the prosecution somewhat ready for the defence to formally demand the onerous copies the prosecution team printed the documents out.
“How does that quantity to prosecutorial unfairness?”
Oyedepo, nonetheless, requested that the courtroom instruct the defence counsels to conclude their cross-examination of the second prosecution witness.
He clarified that the introduction of latest paperwork doesn’t hinder or impression the continued cross-examination of this witness.
Nevertheless, Emefiele’s lawyer disagreed, stating that he wanted time to assessment the brand new paperwork as they might include precious data to be used throughout cross-examination.
In his ruling, the presiding choose, Rahman Oshodi, agreed with the defendant’s counsel.
Oshodi then adjourned the matter to Could 9.
Emefiele and his co-defendant, Henry Omoile, are presently being tried in a Lagos excessive court on a 26-count cost.
Each the previous CBN governor and Omoile pleaded not responsible to all the charges in opposition to them.
Source:- Punchng
