Special Offences Court in Ikeja, Lagos, has scheduled a ruling for September 15, 2025, on an application made by former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele.
Gatekeepers News reports that Emefiele is requesting a forensic examination of certain WhatsApp messages that have been admitted as evidence in his ongoing trial concerning alleged fraud amounting to $4.5 billion and ₦2.8 billion.
During the court proceedings, Justice Rahman Oshodi listened to arguments presented by Emefiele’s counsel, Olalekan Ojo (SAN), who is challenging the authenticity of the digital messages submitted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Emefiele’s legal team has expressed the need to engage a forensic expert to verify the validity of the evidence against him.
The former CBN governor has requested the court’s permission for the forensic expert to inspect the mobile device, described as an “iPhone 2,” from which the messages were extracted, as well as the printed chat logs. Ojo argued that this forensic analysis is crucial to ascertain the credibility of the evidence, which is significant to the prosecution’s case led by the EFCC.
He said, “My Lord, we are requesting permission to conduct a forensic analysis of the mobile device and the messages extracted therefrom in order to verify their authenticity and integrity.
“It is a critical element of our defence,” Ojo submitted.
In opposing the application, the EFCC counsel, Chinenye Okezie, told the court that the defendant had failed to meet the procedural requirements for such an application.
Okezie also submitted that once such an exhibit has been admitted into evidence, the court assumed custody of the item and it must remain intact until the conclusion of the trial.
She stressed that the defence had not provided adequate details about the forensic process, including the name of the lab, the qualifications or experience of the personnel to conduct the analysis, or the expected duration of the examination.
“The defendants have not offered any options of accredited forensic labs for the court to consider,” Okezie noted.
“We urge the court to direct the Director of the Forensic Department of the Commission to nominate a certified forensic laboratory if the application is to be granted,” Okezie added.
She also stated that there must be a proper chain of custody to ensure the device isn’t tampered with and it is returned to the court upon conclusion of the exercise.
“Any examination should be conducted in the presence of a qualified expert to be nominated by the prosecution. This is to prevent any tampering and to guarantee the integrity of the process,” Okezie added.
After listening to both sides, Justice Oshodi adjourned his ruling on the issue till September 15 after the courts’ annual vacation.
