A Lagos State Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, on Wednesday, heard fresh digital evidence in the ongoing trial of the embattled former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, over alleged N233 billion fraud.

At the resumed hearing before Justice Rahman Oshodi, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) continued its case with further revelations linking key aides and associates of the former apex bank chief to suspicious money transfers and coded communications.

Led- in -evidence by prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), the EFCC operative, Alvan Gurumnaan, testified about the forensic analysis of mobile phones and digital records recovered during investigations.

According to him, one of the significant findings was a WhatsApp conversation containing the acronym “PCS,” which, he said, investigators later decoded to mean “one piece” represented N1,000.

Gurumnaan also detailed the analysis of the mobile phone of Mr. John Adetola, a former Executive Assistant to Emefiele. The EFCC presented WhatsApp chats between Adetola and one Mr. Eric Eboh, where instructions were allegedly given to deliver $400,000 “for Oga.”

According to the witness, Adetola confirmed receiving and delivering the money as instructed.

He added that efforts to trace and interview Eboh have been unsuccessful, as the latter has reportedly evaded arrest despite several attempts by the anti-graft agency to reach him.

The prosecution also sought to tender a bundle of documents extracted from Adetola’s phone as part of its evidence before the court.

However, defence counsels Olalekan Ojo (SAN) and Kazeem Gbadamosi (SAN) vehemently objected, arguing that the documents were not properly certified in compliance with the Evidence Act, and thus, should not be admitted.

After hearing submissions from both parties, Justice Oshodi reserved ruling on the admissibility of the documents. The court subsequently adjourned proceedings to October 9, 2025, for a formal decision on whether the digital records would be accepted as evidence.

Emefiele is standing trial over allegations of corruption, abuse of office, and fraudulent mismanagement of over ?233 billion during his tenure as CBN Governor. He is standing trial along with Henry Omoile.

The EFCC alleged that several electronic communications and transactions linked to his aides will further establish the flow of illicit funds connected to him. (The Guardian)

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