Justice Rahman Oshodi of Lagos Special Offences Court, Ikeja, has admitted additional documents and digital evidence in the ongoing $4.5 billion fraud trial involving the embattled former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele.
The court overruled objections raised by defence counsels, Olalekan Ojo (SAN) and Kazeem Gbadamosi (SAN), and admitted the documents tendered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as exhibits.
EFCC’s witness, Alvan Gurumnaan, continued his testimony, revealing WhatsApp messages between key suspects that allegedly linked the former CBN chief to multiple cash transactions.
According to Gurumnaan, one of the alleged, John Adetola, told investigators that he delivered $400,000 to a personal assistant of the CBN governor at Lekki, Lagos, following instructions from a contact named Henry.
Gurumnaan testified that , Adetola confirmed he met Ayo, the CBN governor’s assistant, and handed over the money. He later went to the CBN office where he delivered it directly to Emefiele”
He added that Ayo confirmed to EFCC operatives that Adetola delivered the cash and that another $200,000 was later handed over to Emefiele personally. Gurumnaan also told the court that Victor Oyedua, a CBN contractor, admitted to providing both sums $400,000 and $200,000 through Ayo to the former governor in order to “facilitate” payment for two pending CBN contracts.
The prosecution further tendered original documents obtained from the CBN, including a company letter dated February 24, 2024, as primary evidence received during EFCC’s investigation. Despite objections from the defence over the authenticity and certification of the photocopies, Justice Oshodi admitted the bundle as Exhibit H.
Additionally, Adetola’s Xiaomi MI10T smartphone, found switched on and in flight mode, was tendered and admitted as exhibit I. EFCC investigators further told court that WhatsApp conversations retrieved from the device were analysed and presented in court.
Prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), also tendered written statements made by the defendant during interrogation, urging the court to admit them as evidence. However, defence lawyers objected vehemently, claiming the statements were made under duress.
Justice Oshodi has therefore ordered a trial-within-trial to determine the voluntariness of the statements made by the second defendant, Henry Omoile.
With the agreement of counsel representing the parties, the court fixed November 21, 2025, for a report on the parties’ agreement regarding forensic inspection and adjourned further hearing to December 2 and 3, 2025, for continuation of the trial.
