A significant setback has occurred in the $4.5 billion fraud trial of Godwin Emefiele, former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, as a forensic examination of his phone and WhatsApp chats has stalled due to disagreements over execution modalities. This development was revealed at an Ikeja Special Offences Court on Tuesday.
Emefiele is facing a 19-count charge bordering on receiving gratification and corrupt demands, while his co-defendant, Henry Omoile, faces a three-count charge for unlawful acceptance of gifts by agents. The charges involve $4.5 billion and ₦2.8 billion. The forensic examination, which was meant to be conducted jointly by experts from the prosecution and defence, was ordered by the court to ensure a thorough investigation.
However, the process has been hindered by disagreements between the two parties. Emefiele’s lead counsel, Olalekan Ojo, alleged that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had obstructed the court-ordered forensic process on two occasions. The EFCC had claimed that the phone could not be fully exposed to the joint team, and later failed to produce the phone when Apple’s expert requested it.
The defence has urged the court to issue a fresh directive to ensure compliance, emphasizing the need for unrestricted access to the phone and WhatsApp chats. The prosecution, on the other hand, has raised concerns about the integrity of the data, citing the risk of auto-syncing and compromise of authenticity.
The court has acknowledged the defence’s concerns and directed the prosecution to file the forensic report within 24 hours. The case has been adjourned until October 8 for continuation of trial. The outcome of this trial is being closely watched, given the high-profile nature of the case and the significant amount of money involved.
The Central Bank of Nigeria has been at the centre of several high-profile corruption cases in recent years, highlighting the need for greater transparency and accountability in the country’s financial sector. The trial of Godwin Emefiele is seen as a test of the country’s commitment to fighting corruption and ensuring that those in positions of power are held accountable for their actions.