Emefiele requests judge’s recusal in $4.5bn fraud case
Former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, has called for the withdrawal of Justice Rahman Oshodi from his ongoing trial over alleged fraud involving $4.5 billion and ₦2.8 billion.
Emefiele’s legal team, led by Olalekan Ojo (SAN), accused the judge of bias and requested his recusal from the case.
READ ALSO: Court orders final forfeiture of $4.7m, ₦830m, properties linked to Emefiele
During Monday’s proceedings, the seventh prosecution witness, Mr. John Adetola, testified that he received $400,000 from John Ayoh and delivered it to Emefiele in his office. The prosecution also sought to verify WhatsApp messages allegedly retrieved from the phone of Omoile, an associate of Emefiele.
Emefiele’s lawyer, Ojo, strongly objected to the court’s decision to consider these messages, arguing that it demonstrated bias. He stated, “A judge can be either consciously or unconsciously biased.
At this stage, I urge the court to recuse itself.” However, EFCC counsel Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN) countered, calling the recusal request a delay tactic. Justice Oshodi has set February 26, 2025, to rule on the recusal request and other outstanding applications.
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