Former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele’s corruption trial took a fresh twist on Tuesday after his defence team and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) clashed over the forensic review of electronic evidence.
Emefiele, arraigned in 2024 on 26 counts ranging from bribery to conferring corrupt advantages, was granted court approval last month to have experts examine WhatsApp exchanges and a mobile phone seized during investigations. But defence lawyer Olalekan Ojo told the Lagos Special Offences Court that the forensic process collapsed after EFCC officials allegedly denied the team access to the iPhone despite a valid order.
The EFCC rejected the claim, insisting the device could not be freely handled for fear of data alteration. Prosecutor Rotimi Oyedepo argued the defence expert had no verifiable laboratory and used online connections during analysis, a method he said jeopardised the integrity of the exhibit.
Justice Rahman Oshodi directed both sides to file formal applications before he could rule, while hearing continued with testimony from an EFCC investigator, who presented WhatsApp records said to document large foreign currency deliveries linked to the defendants.
The case resumes on Wednesday.
