By Kolawole Ojebisi
Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Ikeja special offences court in Lagos has declined the request to recuse himself from the ongoing trial of Godwin Emefiele, former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
The embattled ex-governor of the apex bank is facing 19 count charges bordering on abuse of office, receiving gratification, and corrupt demands, brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
However, during the court proceedings on Monday, Olalekan Ojo, Emefiele’s counsel, had made an oral application requesting Oshodi to step down from the trial following a controversy that ensued while the seventh prosecution witness was testifying.
Rotimi Oyedepo, counsel for the EFCC, was leading John Adetola, the seventh prosecution witness, in his testimony.
Oyedepo had referenced an earlier testimony where Adetola alleged that he received a bribe from John Ayoh and delivered it to Emefiele at his office.
The counsel then asked Adetola to confirm a WhatsApp message from Eric Odoh extracted from his phone by EFCC investigators.
However, Ojo objected, arguing that the document was only for identification and not yet an official exhibit.
The defence contended that the witness could not read or comment on the document at that stage.
The court overruled the objection, citing section 224 of the Evidence Act, which permits leading questions regarding introductory or undisputed matters.
Dissatisfied with the ruling, the defence refused to cross-examine the witness and instead applied for the judge to recuse himself from the case.
Delivering his ruling on Wednesday, the judge ruled that the allegation of bias against him by Ojo was not substantiated and that there was no evidence to that effect.
