$4.5bn Fraud: Court Grants Emefiele’s Request for Forensic Expert
The Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja has granted former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele permission to engage independent forensic experts to examine WhatsApp conversations and a mobile device marked “iPhone 2” tendered as evidence in his ongoing $4.5 billion and N2.8 billion fraud trial.
Justice Rahman Oshodi issued the ruling after Emefiele’s lead counsel, Olalekan Ojo (SAN), filed an application seeking the court’s leave to allow an independent forensic expert to inspect the mobile handset and verify the authenticity of the extracted WhatsApp messages already admitted as exhibits.
“The defence seeks the court’s leave to call a forensic expert to examine both the mobile device and printed conversations allegedly linked to the defendants,” Ojo told the court.
Emefiele, alongside co-defendant Henry Omoile, is currently facing 19 counts of charges including:
- Abuse of office
- Receiving gratification
- Corruption
- Fraudulent property transactions
The charges, brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), involve $4.5 billion and N2.8 billion.
The EFCC counsel, Chineye Okezie, opposed the defence’s application, arguing that all exhibits admitted during trial should remain strictly in the court’s custody until proceedings are concluded.
Ruling on the matter, Justice Oshodi held that the defence is entitled to an independent forensic review, provided safeguards are in place to protect the integrity of the evidence. He ordered that:
- The inspection be conducted in the presence of representatives from all parties.
- Each side is allowed to bring no more than one lawyer and one forensic expert.
- A court representative supervise the exercise.
The court specified that the inspection must take place between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on September 24 and 26, 2025. The judge further directed that the chain of custody of Exhibit E (iPhone 2) must be preserved and that the device remain in the court’s custody at all times.
The trial has been adjourned to October 7 and 8, 2025 for continuation and October 9, 2025 for further hearing. This decision marks a significant procedural development in one of Nigeria’s most high-profile financial crime cases.
Godwin Emefiele – FAQ
Godwin Emefiele – Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to Godwin Emefiele?
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Godwin Emefiele was suspended as Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) by President Bola Tinubu on **9 June 2023** amid investigations into his office and planned financial sector reforms. 0
Following his suspension, he was arrested and detained by Nigeria’s security agencies under investigations by the EFCC for alleged misuse of authority, corruption, and other charges. 1
A Court in July 2024 also rejected his request to travel abroad for medical treatment due to ongoing legal proceedings. 2
Who is the owner of CBN in Nigeria?
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The Central Bank of Nigeria is not “owned” by a private individual. It is the apex monetary authority of Nigeria and is a government institution established under the Central Bank Act. Its governor and board are appointed by the President of Nigeria, and it operates as a public institution. 3
Who was the first governor of the Central Bank Of Nigeria?
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The first Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria was a British expatriate named **Roy Fenton**, who served when the bank was established in 1958. 4
The first *indigenous* (Nigerian‐born) Governor was Aliyu Mai-Bornu. 5
Who was the first female governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria?
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The first *female* to act as Governor (in an acting capacity) of the CBN was **Sarah Alade**, who served as Acting Governor from 20 February 2014 until Emefiele took over on 4 June 2014. 6
Godwin Emefiele Tribe?
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Godwin Emefiele is from **Ika South Local Government Area** of Delta State. His ethnic origin is Ika (Igbo subgroup in Delta State). 7
Godwin Emefiele net worth?
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Estimates of Emefiele’s net worth vary. One report (PeopleAi) places it around **US$2.56 million**, though these figures are not official. 8
Media reports also reveal he earned **₦350 million annually** during his CBN governorship, plus bonuses and estacodes. 9
Godwin Emefiele Education?
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Godwin Emefiele was born on 4 August 1961. He had his primary education at Ansar-U-Deen Primary School (Victoria Island, Lagos) and secondary school at Maryland Comprehensive Secondary School, Ikeja, Lagos. 10
He obtained a B.Sc in Banking & Finance from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka in 1984, and an MBA in Finance in 1986 from the same University, graduating as one of the top students. 11
He also attended executive education or short-course programs at Stanford University, Harvard University (2004) and Wharton School of Business (2005). 12
