On Thursday, 9th October, 2025, the Lagos Special Offences Court in Ikeja admitted a crucial WhatsApp conversation into evidence in the ongoing trial of the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, who faces charges of $4.5 billion fraud and abuse of office.
The defence’s objection was overruled by justice Rahman Oshodi to the evidence presented by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), admitting the WhatsApp chat and labelling it Exhibit “G.” The judge also admitted several phones into evidence.
Emefiele is being tried on a 19-count charge of receiving gratification and corrupt demands, while his co-defendant, Henry Omoile, faces a three-count charge for the unlawful acceptance of gifts by agents. The total alleged transactions in the charges amount to a staggering $4.5 billion and N2.8 billion. (Emefiele is also s,eparately asking the court to stop a trial related to alleged procurement fraud.)
Continuing his testimony for the EFCC, prosecution counsel Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN) led the evidence of Mr. Alvan Grumnaan (EFCC), who revealed further insights uncovered during the investigation.
Grumnaan read from the admitted WhatsApp conversation (Exhibit “G”) in which co-defendant Omoile allegedly instructed a person named John Adetola to deliver $400,000 to Emefiele.
The investigator testified that Adetola confirmed he went to Lekki, Lagos, to meet John Ikechukwu-Ayoh, a personal assistant to the then-CBN governor, to collect the $400,000. Adetola then confirmed that he proceeded to the CBN office in Lagos and handed the money directly to Emefiele.
The court has adjourned the case until November 21 for an update from the parties regarding an agreement on a forensic inspection. The trial is further adjourned till December 2 for a trial within a trial (a hearing to determine the admissibility of a confession or piece of evidence).
