Court dismisses Emefiele’s recusal application

• Says allegation of bias unsubstantiated
• Grants request to appeal ruling on jurisdiction

A special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, yesterday, dismissed the application filed by former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, asking the judge to recuse himself from the suit.

The trial judge, Justice Rahman Oshodi, while ruling on the oral application for recusal, held that the defendant’s counsel did not substantiate the allegation of bias levelled against him.

The judge, who cited various sections of the decided Supreme Court cases on the allegation of bias, said that there is no iota of evidence of bias, adding that the oral application lacks merit and there is no evidence to justify his withdrawal from the case.

However, the court granted Emefiele’s application seeking the leave of the court to appeal the ruling delivered on January 8, challenging the jurisdiction of the court to hear his case. Justice Oshodi subsequently adjourned the case till May 26, 2025, for continuation of trial.