The Special Offences Division of the Lagos High Court in Ikeja has admitted more documents tendered as exhibits by the prosecution in the trial of the former Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele.

Emefiele: Court admits WhatsApp conversation in alleged $4.5bn fraud An Ikeja Special Offences Court on Thursday admitted into evidence the WhatsApp conversation indicting the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Godwin Emefiele, of $4.5 billion fraud and abuse of office. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Justice Rahman Oshodi overruled the objections of the defence and admitted the WhatsApp conversation presented by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) into evidenc

Alleged $4.5bn fraud: Emefiele’s phone forensic test stalled as EFCC, defence clash. The forensic examination of a mobile phone central to the $4.5 billion alleged fraud trial of former Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Governor, Godwin Emefiele, has stalled following a sharp disagreement between the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and the defence team over how to carry out the court-ordered test. At the resumed hearing before Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Ikeja Special Offences Court on Tuesday, both parties traded accusations over who was responsible for the failure of the forensic process, which had been scheduled for September 24 and 25, 2025. Emefiele, alongside his co-defendant, Henry Omoile, is facing a 19-count charge of alleged fraud, corruption, and abuse of office. The EFCC had tendered an iPhone 12 containing WhatsApp messages as part of its evidence against the former apex bank chief. The court had earlier ordered that the device, marked as “iPhone 2”, be subjected to a scientific forensic analysis by experts representing both sides to determine the authenticity of the WhatsApp conversations in dispute. However, Emefiele’s lawyer, Olalekan Ojo, SAN, told the court that the exercise could not proceed because the EFCC repeatedly obstructed efforts to access the device. According to him, despite the presence of representatives from the prosecution, the defence, and the court’s Registrar, the commission refused to produce the phone for examination. Ojo said: “The first obstacle was that the EFCC insisted the device could not be fully exposed to the team.Then, on the second day, even when the Registrar clarified that your lordship’s order covered both the phone and its WhatsApp contents, the EFCC representatives refused to produce it when the Apple expert demanded it. We were told a categorical ‘No.’”

Ex-CBN governor Emefiele defeats EFCC in court, gets approval to hire forensic experts. 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.

Court Approves Emefiele’s Bid To Examine WhatsApp Evidence In Alleged $4.5bn Fraud Cas. A Lagos State Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja on Monday granted former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, permission to subject WhatsApp chats and a mobile phone admitted as evidence in his ongoing fraud trial to forensic examination. The trial Judge, Justice Rahman Oshodi delivered the ruling on Monday in the case where Emefiele and his co-defendant, Henry Omoile, are standing trial on 19 counts of corruption, bribery, gratification through agents, abuse of office, and fraudulent property transactions involving $4.5 billion and ₦2.8 billion. The charges were brought against the defendants by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Emefiele’s counsel, Olalekan Ojo, SAN, had earlier moved an application asking the court to allow an independent forensic expert to review the device—an “iPhone 2 and the WhatsApp conversations allegedly linked to the defendants. He argued that the defence was entitled to verify the authenticity of the messages presented as exhibits in the proceedings. The EFCC, represented by counsel C. C. Okezie, strongly opposed the application. Okezie contended that exhibits once tendered are under the court’s custody and must remain intact until judgment is delivered. She further noted that the defence had not disclosed the name of the forensic laboratory or the qualifications of the specialists it intended to engage. To ensure transparency, the prosecution suggested that the EFCC’s Director of Forensic Department be tasked with identifying the laboratory and that the exercise be monitored by its nominated officer to preserve the chain of custody.

💰 “No Sin in Borrowing”: Presidency Defends Nigeria’s Debt Strategy In a recent statement, the Nigerian Presidency has asserted that borrowing is a necessary instrument for driving economic development. Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, emphasized that when loans are utilized responsibly, borrowing should not be viewed negatively. He stated, “It is not a sin to borrow. Even developed nations like the United States of America and the United Kingdom borrow beyond their GDP. The issue is not borrowing; it is what you do with the borrowed funds.”  This clarification comes amid discussions surrounding President Bola Tinubu’s recent request to the National Assembly for approval of fresh external and domestic loans amounting to ₦34.15 trillion. The administration maintains that such borrowing is essential for funding large-scale development projects, such as highways and infrastructure, which are pivotal for economic growth.  The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has previously echoed similar sentiments, stating that borrowing is part of fiscal responsibility. CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele noted, “Debt is never a crime or a sin. The private entity also borrows to survive. What matters most is the debt’s quantum and the debt usage.”  However, concerns persist regarding Nigeria’s rising debt profile and the nation’s ability to service these debts. Critics argue that while borrowing can be a tool for development, it must be managed prudently to avoid long-term economic challenges.  #NigeriaEconomy #GovernmentBorrowing #DebtManagement #EconomicDevelopment #InfrastructureFunding

From Luxury to Affordable: FG to Sell Emefiele’s Properties to Ordinary Nigerians The Federal Government has announced plans to sell properties seized from former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Godwin Emefiele, to low and middle-income Nigerians. The move is part of a broader initiative to redistribute assets recovered through anti-corruption efforts, with a focus on addressing housing shortages and providing affordable real estate options for ordinary citizens. Government officials stated that the properties—mostly located in high-value urban areas—will be sold through a transparent, subsidized process aimed at empowering everyday Nigerians. This development follows Emefiele’s ongoing prosecution over alleged financial misconduct during his tenure at the apex bank. The government emphasized that the proceeds from the sales will be reinvested into public infrastructure and social welfare projects. The plan has drawn mixed reactions—while some have praised it as a bold step toward economic justice, others are calling for clarity on who qualifies and how the allocation will be managed. #Emefiele #CBN #FederalGovernment #AffordableHousing #NigeriaRealEstate

Emefiele Appeals Final Forfeiture of 753-Unit Abuja Estate Former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, has filed an appeal at the Court of Appeal in Abuja, seeking to overturn a judgment that granted the Federal Government ownership of a 753-unit housing estate located in the Lokogoma district of Abuja. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had earlier secured both interim and final forfeiture orders from a Federal High Court, which linked the estate to proceeds of unlawful activity. The property was initially recovered from an undisclosed former government official. Through his lawyer, A.M. Kotoye, Emefiele filed a motion as an interested party, arguing that he should have been included in the original proceedings. He is now seeking to nullify the lower court’s decision, claiming that due process was not followed. Emefiele specifically requested an extension of time to contest the interim and final forfeiture orders, which were issued on December 2 and December 24, 2024, respectively. He asserted that the EFCC published the interim forfeiture notice in a rarely-read section of a national newspaper, which he could not reasonably have seen, especially while facing multiple criminal trials in both Abuja and Lagos. He accused the EFCC of deliberately excluding him from the proceedings despite ongoing engagements over separate criminal cases. Emefiele maintained that the Commission concealed the forfeiture process, even though it was aware of his interest in the disputed property. However, the trial court, in a judgment delivered by Justice J.O. Onwuegbuzie, dismissed his motion, ruling that the publication met the legal requirements under Section 17(2) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud-Related Offences Act, 2006. The court further stated that a half-page notice in a national newspaper could not be deemed obscure. Unhappy with the ruling, Emefiele filed an appeal dated April 30, 2025, seeking five key reliefs, including an order to set aside the lower court’s decision. The EFCC is listed as the sole respondent in the case. In the appeal, Emefiele argued that the entire forfeiture process was flawed, built on conjecture and hearsay—evidence he described as inadmissible. He maintained that no laws were violated in the acquisition of the estate, and thus, Sections 44(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution and Section 17(1) of the fraud-related offences act could not be invoked. He further argued that the forfeiture orders violated Section 44(1) of the Constitution, rendering them legally null and void. Emefiele also emphasized that he has both legal and equitable interests in the estate. Meanwhile, in a letter dated May 26, 2025, co-counsel A.O.M. Adebowale wrote to the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, informing him of the pending appeal and urging a suspension of any action related to the property. The letter noted that the properties were recently handed over to the Ministry and are allegedly being prepared for public auction. It emphasized that notices of appeal and injunction were served to the EFCC on May 2 and May 22, 2025, respectively. “In light of the foregoing, we respectfully request that any further action on the subject property be suspended until the Court of Appeal delivers its ruling,” the letter read. The matter now awaits judicial review at the appellate level. #Emefiele #EFCC #ForfeitureAppeal #NigeriaNews