The trial of former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, and his co-defendant, Henry Omoile, before the Lagos State Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja was stalled following Emefiele’s absence from court.

Justice Rahman Oshodi subsequently adjourned the case to November 11, 12 and 13, 2026, for continuation of trial.

Emefiele is facing a 19-count charge brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), bordering on alleged abuse of office, receiving gratification, making corrupt demands and fraudulent receipt of property in transactions involving about $4.5 billion and N2.8 billion.

Omoile, the second defendant, is facing three counts relating to alleged unlawful acceptance of gifts as an agent.

Both defendants have pleaded not guilty to the charges.
At the resumed proceedings, Emefiele was absent from court as he was said to be attending to another trial in Abuja.

Counsel to the first defendant, Abdulakeem Labi-Lawal, SAN, informed the court that Emefiele would not be available for the proceedings.

The EFCC prosecutor, C.C. Okezie, also told the court that Emefiele had written a letter dated October 6, 2026, notifying the court that he would be attending another trial in Abuja on the same dates scheduled for the Lagos proceedings.

However, counsel to Omoile, A. Kotoye, SAN, said he had neither seen nor received any notification from the court concerning Emefiele’s absence.

Kotoye expressed concern that the second defendant appeared to be treated as though he was not part of the proceedings.

He said, “I don’t know why the court will be treating the second defendant as if he is not part of the proceedings.”

Labi-Lawal, SAN, urged the court to vacate the previously scheduled dates in October, arguing that it might be difficult for Emefiele to travel from Abuja to Lagos to attend the proceedings the day after appearing in court in Abuja.

He noted that Emefiele had another ongoing case in Abuja, the outcome and scheduling of which could not be predicted.

Following the submissions, Justice Oshodi vacated the October dates earlier fixed for the trial and adjourned the matter to November 11, 12 and 13, 2026, for continuation of proceedings.