The Special Offences Court in Lagos has refused to halt the corruption trial of former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, dismissing his request for the presiding judge, Justice Rahman Oshodi, to recuse himself from the case.
Emefiele, who faces multiple charges related to corruption and financial mismanagement, had argued that the judge demonstrated bias during proceedings, making it difficult for his legal team to fairly cross-examine witnesses.
However, in a decisive ruling today, Justice Oshodi declared that the claims of bias were unsubstantiated and did not meet the legal requirements for disqualification.
Judge Denies Bias Claims, Insists on Fair Trial
Delivering his judgment, Justice Oshodi emphasized that bias must be personal or stem from judicial reasoning before a judge can be disqualified from presiding over a case.
“The mere perception of bias is not enough to justify the recusal of a judge,” he stated. “Judicial bias must be real and personal, not speculative or based on dissatisfaction with court rulings.”
The ruling was a setback for Emefiele, whose legal team had sought a new judge, arguing that Justice Oshodi had unfairly sided with the prosecution by allowing them to ask a leading question that had previously been objected to by the defense.
At the last sitting of the court on Monday, Emefiele’s lead counsel, Olalekan Ojo (SAN), had filed the motion, claiming that the judge’s actions compromised the defense’s ability to conduct a fair cross-examination.
However, the judge dismissed the motion, stating that the defense failed to provide sufficient evidence of partiality or prejudgment in the trial.
He reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring that the case proceeds in line with legal principles and due process.
Legal Battle and Allegations Against Emefiele
Emefiele’s trial is part of Nigeria’s ongoing anti-corruption drive, which has seen several former government officials and high-profile individuals investigated and prosecuted.
The former CBN governor, who served from 2014 to 2023, was arrested shortly after his suspension and removal from office by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in June 2023.
He faces multiple charges, including allegations of:
- Financial mismanagement and reckless monetary policies.
- Unauthorized allocation of public funds for personal and political purposes.
- Abuse of office during his tenure as head of the apex bank.
The prosecution has argued that Emefiele’s actions contributed to economic instability, inflation, and financial irregularities in the country.
Since the beginning of the trial, his legal team has raised several objections, questioning the legitimacy of the charges and the conduct of the judicial process. However, most of their motions, including requests for bail variations and case dismissals, have been denied by the court.
Implications of the Judge’s Decision
With the court rejecting Emefiele’s request for recusal, the case is now set to proceed under Justice Oshodi, a development that could significantly impact the defense’s legal strategy.
Several legal analysts believe that the ruling strengthens the prosecution’s position, as it allows the court to continue hearing evidence against the former CBN governor without unnecessary delays.
For Emefiele, this means that he will now have to defend himself within the current judicial framework, without the possibility of a new judge overseeing the proceedings.
According to legal expert Barrister Bayo Adebayo, “This ruling signals that the court is committed to seeing this trial through without external interference. The judge has sent a clear message that the law must take its course, and delaying tactics will not be entertained.”
What’s Next?
With the recusal request denied, the trial is expected to resume in full force, with the prosecution continuing to present witnesses and evidence to support its case.
Legal experts predict that the defense team may explore further options, such as:
- Filing an appeal against the ruling.
- Petitioning a higher court to intervene.
- Challenging key evidence presented by the prosecution.
Meanwhile, the case remains a major talking point in Nigeria’s political and financial circles, given Emefiele’s controversial tenure as CBN governor.
His policies, including the now-reversed naira redesign policy, were widely criticized for causing economic hardship, cash scarcity, and disruption in the financial sector.
For the Nigerian government, the trial is seen as a test of its commitment to transparency and accountability in handling corruption cases.
The anti-corruption campaign, a key part of President Tinubu’s agenda, has already led to the prosecution of several top officials.
As proceedings continue, the outcome of the trial could have long-term implications for Nigeria’s financial sector, governance, and legal system.
If convicted, Emefiele could face significant penalties, including heavy fines or imprisonment, further reinforcing the government’s stance on fighting corruption.
The Special Offences Court’s refusal to halt Emefiele’s trial marks a major step forward in the case, signaling that the judiciary is determined to handle corruption allegations without fear or favor.
With Justice Oshodi standing firm, all eyes will be on the next phase of the trial as both the prosecution and defense prepare for an intense legal battle. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether Emefiele’s legacy will be further tainted by legal consequences or if he will be able to clear his name.
