Court Admits Supreme Court Judgment Against Emefiele in $4.5bn, N2.8bn Fraud Trial Despite Defence Objection

Court Admits Supreme Court Judgment Against Emefiele in $4.5bn, N2.8bn Fraud Trial Despite Defence Objection

LAGOS, NIGERIA — The Ikeja Special Offences Court has overruled an objection by former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, and admitted a certified true copy of a Supreme Court judgment into evidence in his ongoing $4.5 billion and N2.8 billion fraud trial.

Justice Rahman Oshodi, who presided over the proceedings on Friday, admitted the judgment as Exhibit L, ruling that it was a public document admissible in evidence.

The document reportedly concerns multiple properties forfeited to the Federal Government and allegedly linked to the former CBN governor.

The prosecution had sought to tender the Supreme Court judgment through its eighth witness, Alvan Gurumnaan, the lead investigator in the case.

However, Emefiele’s defence counsel opposed its admission, questioning its relevance and legal admissibility in the ongoing criminal proceedings.

Emefiele is facing a 19-count charge bordering on alleged gratification, corrupt demands and abuse of office involving $4.5 billion and N2.8 billion.

He is standing trial alongside Henry Omoile, who faces a separate three-count charge over the alleged unlawful acceptance of gifts.

During Friday’s proceedings, the defence challenged the prosecution’s attempt to introduce the Supreme Court judgment, raising concerns about its relevance to the criminal trial and the circumstances surrounding the document’s presentation.

The defence also questioned the prosecution’s reliance on the judgment, which arose from a forfeiture-related matter.

In his ruling, Justice Oshodi dismissed the objections, holding that a certified true copy of a court judgment qualifies as a public document that can be admitted in evidence.

The judge explained that judgments are tendered in subsequent proceedings to establish what a court had previously decided, not to automatically import the evidence presented in the earlier case into a fresh trial.

He cited several judicial authorities, including David v. Friyisi Akperen (2000), Egwu v. Ezeubu (1992), Okoye v. Ogoji (1991) and Ademba v. Odizi (1999), in support of his position.

Justice Oshodi further held that the omission of certain ancillary details did not make the certified judgment incomplete or inadmissible.

Following the ruling, the court admitted the document as Exhibit L, with its use restricted to establishing the decisions previously reached by the Supreme Court concerning the disputed assets.

The development marks another stage in the prosecution’s presentation of evidence against the former CBN governor.

The court subsequently adjourned the case until December 17, 2026, for the continuation of cross-examination and further proceedings.

Court Admits Supreme Court Judgment Against Emefiele in $4.5bn, N2.8bn Fraud Trial Despite Defence Objection