Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, has directed the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS) to investigate claims of tampering with exhibits in a high-profile N10 billion fraud trial.
The order followed revelations that the court’s Registrar, Nasiru Zubairu, was approached by the second defendant, Daudu Sulaiman, to delete certain WhatsApp messages from mobile devices admitted as exhibits N and O.
Speaking in court, Justice Omotosho highlighted the importance of transparency and adherence to the court’s discovery policy.
“We have zero tolerance for actions that compromise judicial integrity.
Such matters must be disclosed immediately,” he said.
An audio recording of Zubairu’s confession was played in open court, detailing the alleged attempt to erase critical evidence in exchange for accommodation.
The Registrar admitted that Sulaiman had promised him a house if he deleted specific WhatsApp messages contained in the exhibits.
Following this disclosure, the Director of Public Prosecution, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, was allowed to lead EFCC operative Muhammed Audu Abubakar in investigating whether the messages had indeed been deleted.
Abubakar confirmed that multiple WhatsApp chats, spanning 2020 to 2022, were missing from exhibits N and O, identifying several gaps in critical conversations, including messages dated December 23, 2020; January 22, 26, and 30, 2021; August 30, 2021; and February 28, 2022. Key exchanges concerning N100 million transfers were reportedly deleted.
Oyedepo urged the court to conduct a full investigation into the alleged tampering, citing strong suspicion that vital evidence had been compromised.
He also requested a forensic examination of exhibit N and the revocation of the defendant’s bail.
The defense counsel, while surprised by the developments, asked the court to await the outcome of the forensic examination before taking further action.
Justice Omotosho subsequently ordered the Police and DSS to conduct thorough investigations into the matter and report back to the court.
The trial has been adjourned to February 9, 2026, for continuation.
