Two days after Godwin Emefiele, the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN), requested Justice Rahman Oshodi to recuse himself from his ongoing $4.5 billion and N2.8 billion fraud trial, the judge has dismissed the request.
Justice Oshodi ruled on Wednesday that the defence’s allegations of bias were unfounded, citing a lack of evidence to warrant his recusal from the case.
Persecondnews recalls that the defence, led by Mr. Olalekan Ojo (SAN), had on Monday orally applied for the judge to recuse himself, arguing that his previous rulings suggested a likelihood of bias.
Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), counsel for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), countered the application, saying the proceedings were fair and unbiased.
After careful consideration of the arguments and relevant legal precedents on Wednesday, Oshodi delivered a ruling dismissing the application for lack of merit.
Emefiele is facing a 19-count charge bordering on receiving gratification and making corrupt demands slammed on him by the EFCC.
His co-defendant, Anita Joy Omoile, is facing a separate three-count charge of unlawful acceptance of gifts by a public official.
Meanwhile, Justice Yellim Bogoro of the Federal High Court in Lagos on Friday February 21, had ordered the permanent forfeiture of $4.7 million, N830 million, and multiple properties linked to Emefiele.
The court also ordered the final forfeiture of investments worth $900,000 traced to one of Emefiele’s close relatives, Omoile.
In addition, it ordered the final forfeiture of an additional $4.4 million worth of investments linked to Deep Blue Energy Services Ltd, N283 million in Zenith Bank accounts of Liman Investment Ltd, as well as €20,000 and £1,999.50 traced to Exactquote Bureau De Change (BDC), all of which are companies connected to Omoile.
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