A Special Offences Court in Ikeja, Lagos, has scheduled September 15, 2025, to rule on an application by former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele, seeking a forensic examination of WhatsApp messages admitted in evidence in his ongoing trial for alleged $4.5 billion and N2.8 billion fraud.
Emefiele’s counsel, Olalekan Ojo (SAN), argued that the forensic analysis was necessary to verify the authenticity and integrity of the WhatsApp messages presented by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The EFCC counsel, Chinenye Okezie, opposed the application, citing procedural requirements and the need to maintain the integrity of the evidence.
Justice Rahman Oshodi adjourned the ruling on the issue until September 15, 2025, after listening to both sides.
Emefiele is standing trial alongside his co-defendant, Henry Omoile, on a 19-count charge bordering on conspiracy, money laundering, and fraud, brought against them by the EFCC.
At the last sitting of the court on May 27, an official of the EFCC, Alvan Gurumnaan, who is testifying as the 8th Prosecution Witness, had told the Court how the former CBN Governor, allegedly received a total of $17.1 million in cash through a proxy, for three years.
The EFCC subsequently tendered in evidence, all documents gathered in relation to these transactions.
Through his lawyers, the former CBN Governor then indicated his readiness to subject to forensic inspection all the documents and exhibits tendered.
