A Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja on Wednesday received new digital evidence in the continuing trial of former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, who is accused of diverting ₦233 billion.
During the resumed proceedings before Justice Rahman Oshodi, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) continued to present its case, unveiling more details that allegedly tie some of Emefiele’s aides and associates to questionable cash transfers and coded messages.
An EFCC operative, Alvan Gurumnaan, who appeared as a prosecution witness under the lead questioning of Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), gave testimony on the forensic examination of mobile devices and digital records seized during the investigation.
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According to Gurumnaan, one of the significant findings from the digital analysis was a WhatsApp exchange that featured the acronym “PCS,” which investigators later decoded as “one piece,” a term reportedly used to denote ₦1,000.
The operative further stated that a thorough review of the phone belonging to Mr. John Adetola, who formerly served as Executive Assistant to Emefiele, uncovered WhatsApp messages between Adetola and an associate, Mr. Eric Eboh. In the messages, instructions were allegedly given to deliver $400,000 “for Oga.”
Gurumnaan told the court that Adetola admitted to receiving and delivering the stated sum as directed in the conversation.
He also informed the court that efforts by the anti-graft agency to locate and question Eboh had been unsuccessful, as the individual has reportedly evaded arrest despite repeated attempts to reach him.
The prosecution then moved to present a set of documents retrieved from Adetola’s phone as evidence in court.
However, defence counsels Olalekan Ojo (SAN) and Kazeem Gbadamosi (SAN) raised strong objections, arguing that the documents had not been properly certified in line with the requirements of the Evidence Act and should therefore be rejected by the court.
Following arguments from both sides, Justice Oshodi reserved his decision on the admissibility of the documents and adjourned the case until October 9, 2025, for a ruling on whether the extracted digital records would be accepted as part of the evidence.
According to the PUNCH, Emefiele is being tried on charges bordering on corruption, abuse of office, and the alleged diversion and mismanagement of more than ₦233 billion during his tenure as head of the CBN. He is standing trial alongside his co-defendant, Henry Omoile.
The EFCC maintains that various electronic communications and financial transactions involving Emefiele’s aides will further establish the chain of illicit funds allegedly linked to the former central bank chief.
