4.5bn fraud’: Court okays Emefiele’s bid for forensic review of WhatsApp evidence

‘$4.5bn fraud’: Court okays Emefiele’s bid for forensic review of WhatsApp evidence

The Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, has granted former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Godwin Emefiele, permission to conduct an independent forensic examination of WhatsApp messages and a mobile device presented as evidence in his ongoing $4.5 billion fraud trial.

Justice Rahman Oshodi delivered the ruling, Monday, allowing Emefiele’s legal team to engage a certified forensic expert to review the contents of a mobile phone identified as “iPhone 12,” as well as printed WhatsApp conversations already tendered as exhibits.

Emefiele and his co-defendant, Henry Omoile, are facing a 19-count charge brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), including allegations of abuse of office, gratification, and fraudulent property transactions amounting to $4.5 billion and N2.8 billion.

Emefiele’s defence counsel, led by Olalekan Ojo, SAN, argued that an independent analysis was necessary to verify the authenticity of the extracted messages from the handset by the prosecution.

Ojo argued that “the defence is seeking the leave of the court to call a forensic expert to examine both the mobile device and printed conversations allegedly linked to the defendants.”

EFCC counsel, C. C. Okezie, opposed the request, insisting the court must preserve the exhibits in their original state until the conclusion of the case.

The Judge held that the prosecution did not file a counter avadavat, “The chain of custody must be preserved, it is hereby ordered that permission is granted to inspect Exhibit E,” he said.

Justice Rahman ruled that the defence was entitled to a forensic review provided strict safeguards were observed and ordered that the inspection take place on September 24 and 26, 2025, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., under the supervision of the court registrar.