The Lagos State High Court, sitting in Ikeja, is set to rule on Thursday, October 9, on whether a series of digital records presented by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) can be admitted as evidence in the ongoing corruption trial of former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Godwin Emefiele.
Justice Rahman Oshodi announced the date after a tense exchange between the prosecution and defence teams over the authenticity and certification of several electronic documents allegedly linking the former apex bank chief to large cash transactions.
The disagreement arose during the resumed testimony of EFCC investigator, Alvan Gurumnaan, who continued to walk the court through a digital trail said to have emerged during months of forensic analysis.
Led in evidence by senior EFCC prosecutor Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), Gurumnaan told the court that the commission’s findings included a trove of WhatsApp messages between key actors in the case. One particular exchange, he claimed, involved an individual identified as Mr. Eric Eboh, who was allegedly instructed to deliver $400,000 to the former CBN governor. According to the witness, the delivery was said to have been completed, although investigators have so far been unable to locate Mr. Eboh for questioning.
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While some of the commission’s exhibits — particularly those dated February 2024 — were admitted without objection, a separate batch extracted from the mobile device of a former aide to the CBN governor, Mr. John Adetola, drew strong resistance from the defence. Emefiele’s legal team argued that the documents had not been properly certified as electronic evidence, in violation of the provisions of Nigeria’s Evidence Act.
The courtroom atmosphere grew visibly charged as both sides traded arguments over what constitutes valid certification of digital materials obtained from a third party. Justice Oshodi subsequently adjourned to deliver a ruling on the admissibility question on Thursday.
The case against Emefiele — one of the most closely watched corruption trials in recent years — continues to attract national attention. The former central bank chief faces multiple allegations ranging from abuse of office to financial impropriety during his tenure. The court’s decision on the admissibility of this digital evidence could determine the trajectory of the trial in the weeks ahead.