The trial of former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, and his co-defendant, Henry Omoile, was stalled on Tuesday following Emefiele’s absence from the Lagos State Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja.
Justice Rahman Oshodi subsequently adjourned the proceedings to November 11, 12 and 13, 2026, for continuation of the trial.
Emefiele is facing a 19-count charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged abuse of office, receiving gratification, making corrupt demands and fraudulent receipt of property in transactions involving about $4.5 billion and N2.8 billion.
Omoile, the second defendant, is facing three counts bordering on alleged unlawful acceptance of gifts in his capacity as an agent.
Both defendants have pleaded not guilty to the charges.
At Tuesday’s proceedings, counsel to Emefiele, Abdulakeem Labi-Lawal, SAN, informed the court that his client was unavailable because he was attending another trial in Abuja.
The EFCC prosecutor, C.C. Okezie, also confirmed that Emefiele had written to the court on October 6, 2026, notifying it that he would be attending proceedings in Abuja on the same dates fixed for the Lagos trial.
However, counsel to Omoile, A. Kotoye, SAN, expressed concern that he had not received any notification regarding Emefiele’s absence.
Kotoye complained that the second defendant appeared to be treated as though he was not part of the proceedings.
Labi-Lawal subsequently urged the court to vacate the dates earlier fixed for the trial, arguing that it could be difficult for Emefiele to travel from Abuja to Lagos immediately after appearing before another court.
He noted that Emefiele’s Abuja case was still ongoing and that its schedule and outcome could not be predicted.
After considering the submissions, Justice Oshodi vacated the October dates earlier fixed for the proceedings and adjourned the case to November 11, 12 and 13 for continuation of trial.
