In a significant development in the ongoing legal proceedings against the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele, an Ikeja Special Offences Court on Thursday admitted critical evidence in the form of WhatsApp conversations that implicate him in a $4.5 billion fraud and abuse of office case. The court, presided over by Justice Rahman Oshodi, also admitted several mobile phones as exhibits, marking a pivotal moment in the high-profile case. Despite objections from the defense, the court ruled in favor of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), allowing the evidence to be formally entered into the record.
The WhatsApp conversations, presented by the EFCC and labeled as Exhibit G, were central to the court’s proceedings. Justice Oshodi overruled the defense’s objections, which challenged the authenticity and admissibility of the documents, and admitted them as evidence. These conversations allegedly reveal incriminating details about financial transactions involving Emefiele and his co-defendant, Mr. Henry Omoile. The case has drawn significant attention due to the scale of the alleged financial misconduct and the prominent positions held by the accused.
Emefiele faces a 19-count charge, including accusations of receiving gratification and making corrupt demands. His co-defendant, Omoile, is charged with three counts related to the unlawful acceptance of gifts by agents. The charges stem from alleged transactions totaling $4.5 billion and N2.8 billion, figures that underscore the gravity of the accusations against the former CBN governor and his associate.
During the court session, EFCC counsel Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN) continued the examination of a key witness, Mr. Alvan Grumnaan, an EFCC investigator. Grumnaan provided detailed testimony about the evidence uncovered during the agency’s investigation, shedding light on the nature of the WhatsApp conversations and their implications. He explained that the conversations involved Omoile instructing John Adetola to deliver $400,000 to “oga,” a term understood to refer to Emefiele. According to Grumnaan, Adetola confirmed during the investigation that he met John Ikechukwu-Ayoh, a personal assistant to Emefiele, at a location in Lekki, Lagos, to hand over the $400,000. Adetola further stated that he proceeded to the CBN office in Lagos to deliver the money directly to Emefiele.
The EFCC’s investigation extended beyond this single transaction. Grumnaan revealed that Ikechukwu-Ayoh, who was employed at the CBN at the time, was summoned to the EFCC’s Lagos office for questioning. During the interview, Ikechukwu-Ayoh corroborated Adetola’s account, confirming that he received $400,000 from Adetola at his residence and subsequently delivered it to Emefiele. Additionally, the witness disclosed that another transaction involving $200,000 followed a similar pattern, with Ikechukwu-Ayoh receiving the funds from Adetola and passing them on to Emefiele at the CBN’s Lagos office.
Further bolstering the EFCC’s case, Grumnaan testified about the involvement of Mr. Victor Oyedua, a CBN contractor. Oyedua was invited to the EFCC office, where he confirmed delivering $400,000 and $200,000 to Ikechukwu-Ayoh for Emefiele. Oyedua explained that he was a contractor with pending payments from the CBN and was instructed to “settle some management” to facilitate the release of his funds. This testimony suggests a pattern of alleged corrupt practices involving Emefiele and his associates, with payments allegedly made to secure favorable treatment.
The EFCC also tendered additional documents from the CBN as exhibits, including an original letter from a company to the EFCC dated February 24, 2024. According to Oyedepo, this document was a critical piece of evidence received during the investigation and served as primary evidence in the case. However, the defense, led by Olalekan Ojo (SAN) and Mr. Kazeem Gbadamosi (SAN), raised objections to the admissibility of these documents, arguing that they were photocopies and lacked proper certification. The court, however, dismissed these objections and admitted the documents as Exhibit H.
In addition to the documentary evidence, the prosecution presented a mobile phone, identified as a MI10T belonging to John Adetola, which was still in flight mode but powered on. This phone, admitted as Exhibit I, was used to extract and analyze the WhatsApp conversations between Adetola and Omoile, further corroborating the EFCC’s claims. The prosecution also sought to introduce statements made by Omoile during the investigation. However, the defense objected, alleging that these statements were obtained under duress. This objection prompted the court to schedule a trial-within-trial to determine the admissibility of Omoile’s statements.
Justice Oshodi adjourned the case to November 21, 2025, for a report on the parties’ agreement regarding a forensic inspection of the evidence. Additionally, the court set December 2, 2025, as the date for the trial-within-trial to address the defense’s claims about the conditions under which Omoile’s statements were obtained.
The case against Emefiele and Omoile has far-reaching implications, given Emefiele’s former role as the head of Nigeria’s apex bank. The allegations of fraud and abuse of office have raised questions about the integrity of financial governance at the CBN during his tenure. The admission of the WhatsApp conversations and other evidence marks a critical step in the EFCC’s efforts to substantiate its case. As the legal proceedings continue, the public and financial sectors alike are closely monitoring the developments, which could set a precedent for accountability among high-ranking officials in Nigeria.
The EFCC’s investigation and the court’s rulings underscore the agency’s commitment to combating financial crimes, particularly those involving public officials. The case also highlights the importance of digital evidence, such as WhatsApp conversations, in modern financial crime investigations. With the next court dates set for November and December 2025, all eyes will be on the Ikeja Special Offences Court as it navigates the complexities of this high-stakes trial. The outcome could have significant ramifications for Nigeria’s anti-corruption efforts and the broader financial landscape.
