THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has announced that 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 made available to News Point Nigeria, the EFCC said 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 Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, accusing him of soliciting and receiving illegal gratifications.
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.
“The case was adjourned till December 2 and 3, 2025, for mini-trial,” the EFCC noted.
Thursday’s ruling marks another step in the ongoing prosecution of Emefiele, who was first arraigned in 2023 following investigations into alleged abuse of office and large-scale financial impropriety during his tenure.
Emefiele, who was appointed by former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2014 and retained by President Muhammadu Buhari, came under intense scrutiny following controversial monetary policies during his tenure, particularly the 2023 naira redesign and cash withdrawal limits, which sparked widespread public criticism and economic disruption.
He has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, 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.
The defence team, however, has consistently challenged the admissibility of some of the evidence, arguing that the EFCC did not follow due process in obtaining or certifying them.
The forensic analysis of one of the devices, reportedly an iPhone, has also been a major point of contention, with both parties disagreeing over the methodology and level of access granted to experts.
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.
Emefiele, who served as CBN governor between 2014 and 2023, has denied all allegations, maintaining that his actions were in line with the law and national interest.
The EFCC first arraigned him in December 2023, after his suspension and arrest by the Department of State Services. He was later re-arraigned on multiple amended charges involving alleged fraud, abuse of office, and unlawful receipt of gratification.