Court Rejects Emefiele’s Request for Judge Recusal, Adjourns Trial Until May

A Special Offences Court in Ikeja, Lagos, has dismissed a request by former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele for the trial judge to recuse himself from the case over allegations of bias.

Emefiele, who faces 19 charges related to receiving bribes and corrupt demands, made the application on February 26, 2025, following claims from his counsel that Justice R.A. Oshodi might be biased. His co-defendant, Henry Omoile, is also facing charges related to unlawful acceptance of gifts.

Both defendants have pleaded “not guilty” to the charges.

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During the previous hearing on February 24, Emefiele’s lawyer, Olalekan Ojo, SAN, alongside Omoile’s counsel, Kazeem Gbadamosi, SAN, did not cross-examine the prosecution’s seventh witness. Instead, they filed an oral application for the judge to step down from the trial. The case was adjourned for a ruling.

On Monday, Justice Oshodi ruled that there was no evidence to substantiate the claims of bias, dismissing the defence’s request. “There is no iota of evidence of bias,” he said, adding that the application lacked merit.

Ojo, however, informed the court that Emefiele intended to appeal a previous ruling from January 8, 2025, questioning the court’s jurisdiction over the case. Justice Oshodi granted permission for the appeal to proceed.

The court then addressed scheduling, with the defence proposing a May hearing. Prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, objected, requesting an accelerated hearing and day-to-day sessions if the trial were delayed.

After considering the arguments, Justice Oshodi ruled in favour of the defence, setting the next hearing dates for May 26, 27, and 30, 2025.