Judge Declines Request to Step Down From Emefiele’s Trial

Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja has rejected a request for his withdrawal from the ongoing trial of former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele. The judge dismissed the application on Wednesday, ruling that the allegations of bias raised by the defence team were unsubstantiated and lacked merit.

Emefiele’s legal team, led by senior lawyer Olalekan Ojo, had argued that Justice Oshodi’s previous rulings suggested a likelihood of bias, insisting that his continued oversight of the case could affect fairness. They urged the court to grant their request for recusal to ensure an impartial trial. However, the judge, after carefully reviewing the arguments, ruled that there was no sufficient evidence to justify his withdrawal from the case, affirming that the proceedings had been conducted fairly.

The case, which has drawn significant public interest, involves a series of corruption allegations against the former CBN governor. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting Emefiele on 19 charges, including abuse of office, receiving gratification, and other corrupt practices. Initially, the EFCC had filed 22 charges against him and his co-defendant, Henry Omoile. However, on January 8, 2025, the court dismissed four of the counts related to abuse of office while retaining jurisdiction over the remaining charges.

With the judge’s decision to remain on the case, the trial is set to continue, as both the prosecution and defence prepare for the next stage of legal proceedings. The outcome of the case is being closely watched, given its implications for accountability and governance in Nigeria’s financial sector.