Emefiele's Appeal to Remove Judge in $400,000 Case Delayed

Godwin Emefiele, the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, has encountered a setback in his legal battle to remove the judge overseeing his criminal trial concerning an alleged $400,000 payment. The Court of Appeal in Lagos, led by Justice Biobele Georgewill, reserved judgment on the appeal after hearing arguments from Emefiele's legal team, which includes Olalekan Ojo (SAN) and Olawale Fapohunda (SAN), and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), represented by C.C.

Okezie. Emefiele is contesting a ruling from February 26, 2025, by Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Lagos State Special Offences Court, which dismissed his application for the judge's recusal due to perceived bias.

Emefiele's lawyers argued that the judge's handling of a question posed to a prosecution witness raised concerns about impartiality. The EFCC opposed the appeal, labeling it an abuse of court process and urging the appellate court to uphold the trial court's decision.