Shocking as Former CBN Boss, Emefiele Defeats EFCC, Gets Approval to Hire Forensic Experts…details
The Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja has granted Godwin Emefiele, former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), permission to engage forensic experts to examine WhatsApp conversations and a mobile device tendered as evidence in his fraud trial.
Ruling on Monday, Rahman Oshodi, the presiding judge, gave the order after Emefiele’s counsel, Olalekan Ojo (SAN), applied for leave to allow an independent forensic expert to inspect the handset, marked “iPhone 2,” and verify the authenticity of the extracted WhatsApp messages already admitted as exhibits.
“The defence seeks the court’s leave to call a forensic expert to examine both the mobile device and printed conversations allegedly linked to the defendants,” Ojo told the court.
Emefiele is standing trial alongside his co-defendant, Henry Omoile, on 19 counts bordering on abuse of office, receiving gratification, corruption, and fraudulent property transactions involving $4.5 billion and N2.8 billion.
The charges were filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
However, Chineye Okezie, counsel to the EFCC, opposed the application, arguing that exhibits admitted during trial should remain in the court’s custody until proceedings are concluded.
She faulted the defence for failing to disclose the name of the forensic laboratory or the qualifications of the personnel expected to handle the device.
Okezie urged the court to mandate that the EFCC’s director of the forensic department select the laboratory, ensure the exercise is monitored by a prosecution-nominated representative, and preserve the chain of custody.
Delivering his ruling, Oshodi held that the defence was entitled to an independent forensic review provided safeguards were in place to protect the integrity of the evidence.
He ordered that the inspection be conducted in the presence of representatives from all parties, with each side allowed to bring one lawyer and one forensic expert.
A court representative will supervise the exercise, which must take place between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on September 24 and 26, 2025.
The judge directed that the chain of custody of Exhibit E (iPhone 2) must be preserved and that the device remain in the court’s custody at all times.
The trial was adjourned to October 7 and 8 for continuation, and October 9 for further hearing.