$4.5BN FRAUD: EMEFIELE’S ABSENCE STALLS TRIAL, COURT ADJOURNS
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
The trial of former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele, and his co-defendant, Henry Omoile, before the Lagos State Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja was stalled on Tuesday following Emefiele’s absence from court.
Justice Rahman Oshodi subsequently adjourned the matter until November 11, 12 and 13, 2026, for continuation of trial.
Emefiele is facing a 19-count charge bordering on alleged abuse of office, receiving gratification, making corrupt demands and fraudulent receipt of property in transactions involving about $4.5 billion and N2.8 billion.
Omoile, the second defendant, is facing three counts relating to the alleged unlawful acceptance of gifts as an agent.
Both defendants have pleaded not guilty to the charges.
At Tuesday’s proceedings, Emefiele was absent from court as he was said to be attending another trial in Abuja.
Defence counsel to the former CBN governor, Lawal Labi, SAN, informed the court that his client would not be available for the proceedings.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s prosecution counsel, C.C. Okezie, also told the court that Emefiele had written a letter dated October 6, 2026, stating that he would be attending another trial in Abuja on the same dates scheduled for the Lagos proceedings.
However, counsel to Omoile, A. Kotoye, SAN, said he had neither seen nor received any notification from the court regarding Emefiele’s absence.
Kotoye expressed concern that his client appeared to be affected by the absence of the first defendant.
“I don’t know why the court will be treating the second defendant as if he is not part of the proceedings,” he said.
Labi urged the court to vacate the trial dates earlier scheduled for October, questioning whether it would be convenient for Emefiele to travel from Abuja to Lagos to attend proceedings the day after appearing in court in Abuja.
He noted that Emefiele had another ongoing case in Abuja, the outcome of which could not be predicted.
Following the arguments, Justice Oshodi vacated the previously scheduled October dates and adjourned the matter until November 11, 12 and 13, 2026, for continuation of trial.
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