Former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Godwin Emefiele, has demanded the immediate withdrawal of Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja from his ongoing trial over alleged $4.5bn and N2.8bn fraud.
Emefiele’s legal team, led by Olalekan Ojo (SAN), accused the judge of bias and called on him to disqualify himself from further proceedings.
The motion was made at a hearing on Monday at the Special Offences Court in Ikeja, Lagos.
Justice Oshodi delayed the case until February 26, 2025, to decide if he will withdraw from it.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has filed 19 allegations against Emefiele, alleging abuse of power, obtaining gratification, and corrupt demands.
Initially, the EFCC brought 22 accusations against Emefiele and a co-defendant named Henry Omoile.
However, on January 8, 2025, the court dismissed four counts of abuse of authority and assumed jurisdiction over the remaining charges.
During Monday’s sessions, Mr. John Adetola, the seventh prosecution witness, stated that he collected $400,000 from John Ayoh and presented it to Emefiele in his office.
The prosecution also sought to validate WhatsApp conversations purportedly printed from the phone of Omoile, Emefiele’s accomplice.
However, the defense protested, claiming that the paper was only accepted for identification and should not be used as evidence.
Despite the objections, Justice Oshodi allowed the witness to read from the documents.
Emefiele’s lawyer, Ojo, strongly challenged the court’s judgment, claiming that it was biased.
He demanded the judge’s withdrawal, stating, “A judge can be either consciously or unconsciously biased… At this stage, I urge the court to recuse itself.”
Omoile’s lawyer, Gbadamosi Kazeem (SAN), supported Ojo’s submission.
The EFCC’s counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), opposed the application, calling it a delay tactic.
He contended that the procedures had been conducted fairly and that the defense had not presented proof of prejudice.
“This proceeding has been conducted fairly and equitably. My lordship has ruled against us many times. If the defense is dissatisfied, they know the appropriate legal channels to challenge the rulings,” Oyedepo said.
He further argued that such a request should be made formally, not orally.
“The application is intended to delay the matter; that is the only reasonable conclusion,” Oyedepo added.
Before the adjournment, Emefiele’s counsel requested permission to challenge the court’s previous finding on jurisdiction.
Justice Oshodi then set a February 26, 2025 deadline to adjudicate on the recusal request and other pending cases.
