Court admits forfeiture judgment in Emefiele trial

The Ikeja Special Offences Court admitted a certified copy of a Supreme Court forfeiture judgment as an exhibit in the criminal trial of former Central Bank of Nigeria governor Godwin Emefiele on November 13, 2026. Justice Rahman Oshodi ruled that the judgment was a certified public document and could be admitted, while restricting its use in the trial, according to reports of the proceedings.

Oshodi said the document could establish what the Supreme Court decided in the earlier forfeiture case, but could not be used as evidence for or against Emefiele or his co-defendant, Henry Omoile. The ruling did not determine whether either defendant was guilty of the criminal charges.

The prosecution, led by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission lawyer Rotimi Oyedepo, sought to introduce the certified judgment through investigator Alvan Gurumnaan. Oyedepo argued that it met the requirements for public documents under the Evidence Act. The defence opposed the application, arguing that the judgment arose from civil, non-conviction-based forfeiture proceedings and should not establish facts or guilt in the criminal trial.

Emefiele’s lawyer, Olalekan Ojo, also questioned a copy that he said...