The Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja has admitted additional evidence in the ongoing trial of the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, over an alleged $4.5bn fraud.
In a statement released on Thursday by The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC), it stated that Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Special Offences Court made the ruling during proceedings on October 9, 2025.
“Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, on October 9, 2025, admitted more evidence against a former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, in an alleged $4.5bn fraud,” the commission said.
The former CBN governor is facing a 19-count charge filed by the EFCC, accusing him of soliciting and receiving illegal gratifications and misappropriation of funds during his tenure. He was first arraigned in 2023 after his suspension and arrest by the Department of State Services.
His co-defendant, Henry Omoile, faces a separate three-count charge bordering on unlawful acceptance of gifts by agents.
The statement added that the trial judge had adjourned the case till December 2 and 3, 2025, for a mini-trial.
Emefiele, was appointed by former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2014 and retained by President Muhammadu Buhari.
The ongoing investigation follows controversial monetary policies during his tenure, particularly the 2023 naira redesign and cashless economy.
The development caused widespread criticism as many went as far as protesting.
However, the former Governor of CBN has repeatedly pleaded not guilty to the charges against him, insisting that all actions taken under his leadership at the apex bank were in line with the law and national interest.
In earlier proceedings, the anti-graft agency tendered several documents and digital evidence, including WhatsApp chat records retrieved from a mobile phone allegedly linked to Emefiele.
However, the defense team consistently arugued that some of the evidences were not admissible stating that the EFCC did not follow due process in obtaining or certifying them.
The EFCC had previously alleged that part of the funds in question; running into billions of naira and foreign currencies, were traced to bank accounts and assets connected to Emefiele.
In 2024, a Federal High Court in Lagos ordered the interim forfeiture of over $4.7m, ₦830m, and several properties allegedly linked to him, while another court later granted the final forfeiture of assets valued at more than ₦12bn.
“The trial judge adjourned the case till December 2 and 3, 2025, for a mini-trial,” the EFCC noted on Thursday.
