THE ongoing trial of the embattled former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele, suffered yet another setback on Tuesday following a heated disagreement between the prosecution and the defence over the modalities for a joint forensic examination of an iPhone containing alleged incriminating WhatsApp messages.
News Point Nigeria reports that the case, which resumed before Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Special Offences Division of the Lagos State High Court, Ikeja, witnessed tense exchanges between counsel on both sides as accusations of obstruction, data tampering, and non-compliance with court orders took centre stage.
At the proceedings, counsel to the first defendant, Olalekan Ojo (SAN), told the court that the joint forensic analysis ordered by Justice Oshodi could not be carried out due to what he termed “deliberate obstruction” by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Ojo explained that despite the presence of both parties and the court registrar on September 24 and 25, 2025—the scheduled dates for the examination—the process could not proceed because the EFCC team allegedly refused to allow full access to the device, tagged “iPhone 2.”
“The first brick wall we faced was that the EFCC said the device cannot be exposed to the entire team,” Ojo told the court.
“Even when the registrar clarified that the court order specifically mandated the examination of the phone and its WhatsApp contents, the EFCC team still failed to produce the device when the Apple expert requested it.”
The senior lawyer maintained that the forensic analysis was critical to verifying the authenticity of the WhatsApp messages tendered as exhibits, urging the court to issue a fresh order granting “unfettered access” to both parties’ experts.
In a swift rebuttal, prosecution counsel Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN) denied the allegations of obstruction, insisting that the EFCC acted in full compliance with the court’s directive.
He accused the defence’s forensic expert of conducting an unprofessional analysis that “failed to meet global standards” and posed a risk of compromising the integrity of the evidence.
“The implication of their request is that Exhibit E may be altered,” Oyedepo argued.
“The data could auto-sync and change the integrity of the exhibit. The iPhone remains on flight mode to prevent tampering, and the Commission is fully committed to transparency, provided the process follows established forensic procedures.”
Oyedepo also told the court that the defence’s expert lacked a physical laboratory or verifiable office address, claiming that parts of the analysis were conducted online, a move he described as “dangerously unorthodox.”
Both Ojo and Adeyinka Kotoye (SAN), representing the second defendant, Mr. Henry Omoile, urged the court to halt further testimony until the forensic analysis was concluded, noting that the WhatsApp messages formed a core part of their defence strategy.
Justice Oshodi, while acknowledging their concerns, directed the prosecution to file its forensic report within 24 hours but allowed the EFCC’s witness to continue his testimony, noting that he had travelled from Abuja for the proceedings.
The court also ordered both parties to adopt electronic service of court documents going forward to prevent further procedural delays that have hampered progress in the high-profile trial.
EFCC Witness Testifies on Alleged Cash Deliveries, Foreign Transactions
Resuming his testimony, the EFCC’s witness, Mr. Alvan Gurumnaan, an investigative officer with the Commission, narrated how the agency’s investigations uncovered multiple cash deliveries allegedly linked to Emefiele and his associates.
He said the discoveries were based on WhatsApp communications and corroborating testimonies from staff of the CBN and Zenith Bank.
The witness also presented several records, marked Exhibits P1 to P27, said to document large foreign currency transactions coordinated through intermediaries and private operatives connected to the former apex bank governor.
Following the testimony, Justice Oshodi adjourned the case to October 8 and 9, 2025, for continuation of trial.
Emefiele is facing 19 counts bordering on alleged fraud, gratification, corrupt practices, and abuse of office, while his co-defendant, Omoile, is charged with three counts of unlawful acceptance of gifts.