The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has presented additional evidence against the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele.

During Friday's court hearing, Emefiele’s lawyer, Olalekan Ojo, requested a postponement to review the new evidence before continuing the cross-examination of John Ikechukwu Ayoh, the second prosecution witness.

Ojo accused the EFCC lawyer, Rotimi Oyedepo, of engaging in "trial by ambush" and not being diligent in their prosecution, noting that he had just received the additional proof of evidence from the EFCC.

He stated that the new proof of evidence was filed on Thursday and that he needed time to study it before cross-examining the prosecution witness, adding, “The prosecution keeps dumping documents on us at every sitting. This is trial by ambush.”

Echoing Ojo's sentiments, the counsel for the second defendant, Adeyinka Kotoye, mentioned that he was served the additional proof of evidence five minutes after arriving in court.

In response, Oyedepo argued that they provided documents from a former aide to Emefiele in preparation for his testimony, clarifying that it did not affect the ongoing cross-examination.

He emphasized that the additional evidence submitted were documents obtained from the phone of a former aide to Emefiele, John Adetona, who is set to testify as a witness. Oyedepo clarified that these documents were provided in advance for Adetona’s future testimony and that he was not scheduled to appear in court on the present or upcoming hearing on May 9.

Oyedepo requested the court to instruct the defense counsels to conclude their cross-examination of the second prosecution witness, stating that the introduction of new documents does not hinder or impact the ongoing cross-examination.

However, Emefiele’s lawyer disagreed, stating that he needed time to review the new documents as they may contain valuable information for use during cross-examination.

In his ruling, the presiding judge, Rahman Oshodi, agreed with the defendant’s counsel and adjourned the matter to May 9.

Emefiele and his co-defendant, Henry Omoile, are currently being tried in a Lagos high court on a 26-count charge, and both have pleaded not guilty to all charges.