The Lagos Special Offences High Court, Ikeja, has granted former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, permission to subject WhatsApp chats and a mobile phone admitted as evidence against him to an independent forensic analysis.
Emefiele, who is on trial alongside his associate, Henry Omoile, is accused of abuse of office, gratification, and fraudulent property dealings allegedly running into $4.5 billion and ₦2.8 billion.
Delivering his ruling on Monday, Justice Rahman Oshodi held that the defence had a right to verify the authenticity of the electronic evidence, provided safeguards were in place to maintain the integrity of the exhibits.
Emefiele’s lawyer, Olalekan Ojo (SAN), had urged the court to allow an independent expert to inspect the device, identified as “iPhone 2,” and cross-check the WhatsApp messages already tendered in evidence.
But counsel for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), C. C. Okezie, opposed the request, arguing that the defence did not specify the forensic laboratory or experts to be engaged. She insisted that any examination should be overseen by the EFCC’s forensic department to ensure proper handling of the exhibits.
In his ruling, Justice Oshodi ordered that the forensic review be carried out in the presence of representatives of both the prosecution and defence, with each side allowed to provide only one lawyer and one expert. The exercise will take place at the court premises on September 24 and 26, 2025, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., under the supervision of a court official.
He further emphasized that the chain of custody must be preserved and that the exhibits remain under the court’s control at all times.
The case was adjourned to October 7, 8, and 9, 2025, for continuation of trial.
