Court To Rule On Emefiele’s Motion Asking Judge To Hand Off Trial February 26

Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Lagos State Particular Offences Court docket in Ikeja yesterday mounted February 26 for ruling on whether or not at hand off the continued trial of the previous Governor of the Central Financial institution of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele.

Justice Oshodi adjourned for ruling after Emefiele’s counsel, Olalekan Ojo (SAN), accused them of bias and requested him to recuse himself.

The previous CBN boss was arraigned earlier than the court docket by the Financial and Monetary Crimes Fee (EFCC) alongside one Herry Omoile on allegations of accepting gratification, presents via brokers, corruption, and fraudulent property receipts.

The anti-graft company additionally accused the defendant of conferring corrupt benefit on his associates opposite to the Corrupt Practices Act 2000.

The defendants, nevertheless, pleaded not responsible to the cost.

On the resumed listening to of the matter on Monday, the EFCC Prosecutor, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), continued with the evidence-in-chief of the seventh prosecution witness, John Adetola, which began over the last proceedings.

Oyedepo reminded him of his earlier testimony, wherein he said that he acquired $400,000 from John Ayoh and handed it over to the primary defendant in his workplace.

When Oyedepo requested the witness to verify a WhatsApp message printed from his cellphone that was despatched by Omoile, the defence crew objected, arguing that the doc was solely meant for identification and was not an exhibit earlier than the court docket.

Justice Oshodi overruled the defence’s objection and allowed the witness to learn from the doc marked for identification.

The choose cited Part 224 of the Proof Act, which allows main questions regarding introductory or undisputed details.

Following the ruling, Ojo expressed dissatisfaction with the court docket’s resolution, submitting that the ruling was unfair and requesting that the choose recuse himself, citing the potential for aware or unconscious bias.

All of the defence legal professionals supported this place.

In response, Oyedepo argued, “This continuing has been carried out pretty and equitably, contemplating all events. My Lordship has typically dominated towards us; they know the suitable channels to lift claims. My realized brother has failed to ascertain a case of bias. There are not any factual grounds for his allegation of bias.”

The lawyer additionally said that an software for the choose to recuse himself couldn’t be made orally and steered that the applying was meant to delay the proceedings, which he claimed was the one affordable conclusion.

After listening to the legal professionals, Justice Oshodi mounted February 26 for a ruling.