Court to Rule on Emefiele’s Application Alleging Bias, Feb 26

Justice R.A. Oshodi of a Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, has adjourned until February 26, 2025, to deliver a ruling on an application filed by the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele. Emefiele is requesting that the trial judge recuse himself, alleging bias in the ongoing case.

Emefiele is facing a 19-count charge related to receiving gratification and corrupt demand, filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). His co-defendant, Henry Omoile, is charged with a three-count offense for unlawfully accepting gifts as an agent. Both defendants have pleaded “not guilty.”

At the proceedings on February 24, 2025, the prosecution, led by Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, concluded the examination-in-chief of the seventh prosecution witness, Adetola John. However, instead of proceeding with cross-examination, the defense counsels for both Emefiele and Omoile, Olalekan Ojo, SAN, and Kazeem Gbadamosi, SAN, respectively, orally applied for the court to recuse itself, citing bias.

The prosecution vehemently opposed the application. Oyedepo stated that the court had ruled against the prosecution on numerous occasions, and if the defense was dissatisfied with those rulings, they could appeal. He argued that there was no evidence of bias and labeled the application as a delay tactic, urging the court to proceed with the trial and ask the defense to cross-examine the witness.

Justice Oshodi adjourned the matter to February 26, 2025, for a ruling on the recusal application.