Court Fixes January 2026 for Forensic Review in Emefiele’s $4.5bn Fraud Trial
The courtroom in Ikeja carried a loud silence on Friday as Justice Rahman Oshodi pushed the long-running proceedings against former Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele, into the new year. The judge set 5 and 8 January 2026 for a forensic inspection of a crucial piece of evidence—Exhibit I, identified in court as the defendant’s mobile phone. The adjournment followed a firm insistence by the prosecution that the digital examination must occur under strictly controlled conditions, with no internet access permitted. It was a detail that drew measured nods from the defense bench, suggesting the coming inspection may prove pivotal when the trial resumes. Justice Oshodi ruled that the procedure must be carried out in the presence of both legal teams and a certified forensic analyst, with the court registrar overseeing the process. The device will not leave the court’s custody, and its contents will be viewed through screen-mirroring technology, a method designed to preserve both transparency and evidential integrity. Emefiele is standing trial on a 19-count charge brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, alleging that he received gratification and made corrupt demands during his stewardship of the nation’s apex bank. His co-accused, Henry Omoile, faces three counts centered on the unlawful acceptance of gifts in his role as an agent. Both men maintain their innocence, a refrain that has echoed through each appearance as the case stretches into yet another calendar year. The forensic inspection now looms as the next decisive step, one that could either sharpen the prosecution’s narrative or offer the defense fresh footing as the matter edges towards its next chapter.
| 2025-11-21 20:50:53