The trial of the embattled former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, on allegations of $4.5 billion fraud suffered a setback on Tuesday after a heated clash between the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the defence team over the forensic examination of a mobile phone presented as key evidence.
At the resumed hearing before Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Special Offences Division, Lagos High Court, Emefiele’s lead counsel, Olalekan Ojo (SAN), accused the EFCC of deliberately obstructing the court-ordered forensic analysis of an iPhone marked “Exhibit E.”
Ojo told the court that the joint forensic process scheduled for September 24 and 25, 2025, failed because EFCC officials allegedly refused to provide full access to the device and its WhatsApp messages.
“The first brick wall we faced was that the EFCC insisted the device cannot be fully exposed to our team, despite the registrar’s clarification of the court order,” Ojo said, urging the court to issue a fresh directive guaranteeing “unfettered access” for both parties’ experts.
But prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), denied any obstruction, insisting that the earlier forensic report by the defence’s expert was unreliable, flawed, and failed to meet global standards.
He further argued that the expert lacked a verifiable laboratory and conducted parts of the analysis online, risking data compromise.
Oyedepo warned that exposing the iPhone to uncontrolled forensic processes could “alter the integrity of Exhibit E,” stressing that the device had been kept on flight mode to prevent tampering.
The defence, represented by Ojo and Adeyinka Kotoye (SAN) for the second defendant, Henry Omoile, pressed for suspension of further testimony until the forensic analysis was concluded, noting that the WhatsApp chats formed the crux of their case.
Justice Oshodi, however, ruled that the trial would proceed. He ordered the EFCC to file its forensic report within 24 hours while directing both parties to adopt electronic service of court documents to avoid further delays.
Following the ruling, EFCC witness, Alvan Gurumnaan, resumed testimony, narrating how investigations uncovered multiple cash deliveries allegedly linked to Emefiele through WhatsApp communications and testimonies from CBN and Zenith Bank staff.
The EFCC is prosecuting Emefiele on 19 counts of gratification, corrupt practices, and abuse of office, while Omoile faces three counts of unlawful acceptance of gifts. Both men have pleaded not guilty.
The matter was adjourned to October 8 and 9 for continuation of trial.
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