A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court sitting in Abuja will on Friday, October 11, 2025, rule on the admissibility of digital evidence presented by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the ongoing trial of the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele.
Justice Maryanne Anenih, who presides over the case, reserved ruling after hearing arguments from both the prosecution and the defence on the legality and authenticity of the electronic materials sought to be tendered in evidence.
The EFCC had, during Thursday’s proceedings, sought to tender digital communications, transaction records, and email correspondences purportedly linked to Emefiele’s alleged abuse of office and financial misconduct during his tenure as CBN Governor.
However, Emefiele’s counsel, Mr. Matthew Burkaa (SAN), objected to the admissibility of the materials, arguing that the EFCC failed to comply with the provisions of Section 84 of the Evidence Act, 2011 (as amended), which stipulates conditions for the admission of computer-generated evidence in court.
Burkaa contended that the prosecution did not provide a proper certificate of authentication or adequate proof of the chain of custody, thereby raising doubts about the integrity and reliability of the digital materials.
“My Lord, the electronic evidence the prosecution seeks to tender cannot be admitted without strict compliance with the Evidence Act. The certificate required under Section 84(4) is not before this court, and as such, the documents are inadmissible,”
Burkaa submitted.
In response, EFCC counsel, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), urged the court to admit the materials, maintaining that the prosecution duly complied with legal procedures in obtaining and certifying the electronic evidence.
Oyedepo argued that the documents were retrieved from official servers and devices in line with forensic protocols, emphasizing that excluding them would amount to “shutting out relevant evidence crucial to establishing the truth.”
“My Lord, we have complied with all necessary legal requirements. The evidence was lawfully obtained, and the certificate of compliance has been duly endorsed. The defence is only seeking to delay proceedings,”
Oyedepo stated.
After listening to both parties, Justice Anenih adjourned ruling on the admissibility of the digital materials, saying the decision would be delivered at the next sitting.
The trial, which has attracted significant public attention, centers on allegations that Emefiele abused his office, engaged in unauthorized financial transactions, and violated public procurement regulations during his tenure as the apex bank chief.
The EFCC had earlier accused Emefiele of awarding inflated contracts, manipulating forex allocations, and approving multi-billion-naira expenditures without due process — allegations the former CBN boss has consistently denied.
Emefiele, who served as CBN Governor from 2014 to 2023, was first arrested in mid-2023 following his suspension by then-President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He has since faced multiple charges ranging from fraud and abuse of office to possession of firearms and breach of public trust.
The case was adjourned for ruling and continuation of trial.
