The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has announced that the Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja has admitted new evidence in the ongoing trial of former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, over an alleged $4.5 billion fraud.
In a statement released on Thursday, the EFCC said Justice Rahman Oshodi made the ruling during court proceedings on October 9, 2025.
“Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, on October 9, 2025, admitted more evidence against a former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, in an alleged $4.5bn fraud,” the commission said.
Emefiele is facing a 19-count charge filed by the EFCC, accusing him of soliciting and receiving illegal gratifications during his time as CBN governor. His co-defendant, Henry Omoile, is facing a separate three-count charge for allegedly accepting unlawful gifts.
The EFCC added that the court adjourned the case till December 2 and 3, 2025, for a mini-trial.
This latest ruling marks another development in the ongoing case against Emefiele, who was first arraigned in 2023 after investigations into alleged abuse of office and large-scale financial misconduct during his tenure as CBN governor.
Emefiele, who was appointed by former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2014 and retained by President Muhammadu Buhari, became a controversial figure following the 2023 naira redesign policy and cash withdrawal limits, which triggered nationwide criticism and economic challenges.
He has, however, repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, insisting that all decisions made under his leadership were legal and in the best interest of the country.
Earlier in the case, the EFCC presented several documents and digital evidence, including WhatsApp chat records retrieved from a mobile phone allegedly linked to Emefiele. The defence team has contested the admissibility of some of these materials, arguing that the EFCC failed to follow proper legal procedures in obtaining and certifying them.
One major point of contention has been the forensic analysis of an iPhone allegedly tied to Emefiele, with both sides disagreeing over how the examination was conducted and the level of access given to experts.
The EFCC previously claimed that billions of naira and foreign currencies were traced to bank accounts and assets connected to Emefiele.
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In 2024, a Federal High Court in Lagos ordered the interim forfeiture of over $4.7 million, ₦830 million, and several properties linked to him. Another court later granted the final forfeiture of assets worth more than ₦12 billion.
Emefiele, who served as CBN governor from 2014 to 2023, continues to deny all allegations. He was first arrested and arraigned by the EFCC in December 2023, shortly after his suspension by the Department of State Services, and has since faced multiple amended charges involving fraud, abuse of office, and illegal gratification.
