The Special Offences Court in Lagos has refused to stop hearing the corruption case against former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele. Justice Rahman Oshodi ruled that allegations of bias were not proven, stating:
“Applying the foregoing principles to the circumstances of this case, the allegation of bias has not been substantiated…. Accordingly, the first and second defendants’ recusal application is refused. This is the ruling of the court.”
At the last hearing, Emefiele’s corruption trial took a new turn when his lead counsel, Olalekan Ojo (SAN), and the lawyer for his co-defendant, Kazeem Gbadamosi (SAN), asked the court to recuse itself. They argued that the judge’s decision to allow a prosecution lawyer to ask a leading question had made cross-examination unfair.
However, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), counsel for the prosecution, dismissed the argument as baseless. Justice Rahman Oshodi reaffirmed that claims of judicial bias must be personal or based on external influence to warrant recusal. The judge cited a 2013 Supreme Court decision by Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, which reinforced that bias allegations alone are not enough to remove a judge from a case.
Emefiele’s Corruption Trial Continues as Court Grants Appeal Request
Although Justice Rahman Oshodi refused to step down, he granted Godwin Emefiele permission to appeal a previous court ruling from January 8, which challenged the court’s jurisdiction over the corruption case. The trial has now been adjourned to May 26 for further proceedings.
This latest development means that Emefiele’s corruption case will remain in court, as legal arguments over his fate continue to unfold.
Emefiele’s Corruption Trial: Political Interference or Fair Judiciary?
The refusal to halt Emefiele’s corruption trial raises questions about whether the former CBN governor is receiving a fair trial or if political interference is at play. Some believe that Nigeria’s judicial system is often influenced by political interests, while others argue that due process must be followed regardless of external pressures.
