Court Allows Forensic Examination in Godwin Emefiele’s $4.5 Billion Fraud Trial
A Lagos Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja has approved former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele’s request to employ independent forensic experts to scrutinise WhatsApp messages and a device (labelled “iPhone 2”) submitted as evidence in his ongoing trial.
Emefiele, who is standing trial alongside his co-defendant Henry Omoile under Justice Rahman Oshodi, faces 19 counts brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The charges include abuse of office, accepting gifts via agents, corruption, fraudulent property deals, and receiving gratification, concerning sums totaling US$4.5 billion and ₦2.8 billion.
During the proceedings, Emefiele’s lawyer, Senior Advocate Olalekan Ojo, urged that a forensic expert examine both the physical device and the printed WhatsApp conversations to verify their authenticity.
The EFCC’s counsel, C.C. Okezie, opposed that move, arguing that the exhibits are already in the court’s custody and should remain unchanged until the trial concludes. She also criticised the defence for not naming the laboratory or experts intended to carry out the examination.
Justice Oshodi ruled that the defence does indeed have the right to conduct an independent forensic inspection, provided certain safeguards are in place to protect the integrity of the evidence. He ordered the examination to be carried out in the presence of representatives from all parties, with each party allowed one lawyer and one forensic expert only.