COURT TO DECIDE FATE OF EMEFIELE'S TRIAL ON FEB 26

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By Aishat Momoh. O.

An Ikeja Special Offences Court has adjourned its decision on whether to continue hearing the case of former Central Bank Governor Godwin Emefiele, who is facing a 19-count charge related to allegations of receiving gratification and corrupt demands. The court has set February 26 to deliver its ruling.

Emefiele, who stands accused by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), is being tried alongside co-defendant Henry Omoile, who faces a three-count charge of unlawful acceptance of gifts by agents.

The decision was postponed after the defense counsels for both Emefiele and Omoile raised concerns of bias, urging the court to recuse itself from further proceedings. Emefiele’s lawyer, Mr. Olalekan Ojo (SAN), and Omoile’s lawyer, Mr. Kazeem Gbadamosi (SAN), argued that the court had displayed partiality, prompting their request for disqualification.

The prosecution, led by EFCC Counsel Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), strongly opposed the application. He emphasized that the court had previously ruled against the prosecution in multiple instances without demonstrating any bias. Oyedepo accused the defense of employing delay tactics and urged the court to proceed with the case, as it had granted accelerated hearing earlier.

The court had been hearing the testimony of Mr. Adetola John, the seventh prosecution witness, who had completed his evidence-in-chief. When the defense declined to cross-examine the witness, they again called for the court’s recusal, a request that was vehemently opposed by the prosecution.

In earlier testimony, Mr. John discussed a document related to a $400,000 payment he had made as instructed. The defense objected to the admission of WhatsApp messages printed from his phone, arguing that the document was only intended for identification and not as an exhibit. However, the court overruled the objection, allowing the witness to reference the document.

Emefiele’s legal team also informed the court of their intention to seek leave to appeal a previous ruling made on January 8, which questioned the court’s jurisdiction to hear the case.

The court is now expected to deliver its ruling on the recusal application on February 26, determining the future course of this high-profile trial.