High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja has 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, said to be in the United Kingdom, were permitted by Justice Maryanne Anenih, yesterday, to testify digitally, at a date to be fixed.At yesterday’s proceedings, EFCC’s lead counsel, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, had informed the court of his intention to call additional witnesses that would testify in the trial of Emefiele and establish charges against him.

The senior lawyer also stated that he had filed additional proof of evidence that would be placed before the court to substantiate the charges.Emefiele’s lead counsel, Mr Olalekan Ojo, SAN, objected to the new move by the anti-graft agency to make the request informally, arguing 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.

Meanwhile, the matter has been adjourned to April 29, for continuation of the evidence of the witnesses.