The former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, has decried the way and manner Justice Abdulrahman Oshodi is handling his case, saying he is biased.
Emefiele’s legal team led by two Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN), Olalekan Ojo and Kazeem Gbadamosi, expressed their resentments in a statement made available to Journalists.
During the resumed trial on Monday, Olalekan Ojo, SAN, Emefiele’s lead counsel, filed an application requesting that the judge (Oshodi) steps down, citing bias.
He alleged that the objection stems from a remark made by Justice Oshodi during the trial, when he said that the allegation of bribery against Godwin Emefiele had been proven.
“This statement occurred during the prosecution’s examination of a witness, Adetola John, led by counsel Rotimi Oyedepo SAN,” he said.
The defence team argued that such a statement, made before the conclusion of the trial and before cross-examination had begun, suggested that the judge had already prejudged the case.
Ojo faulted the proceedings, saying: “This court has granted an accelerated hearing on this matter, but what we are witnessing is an accelerated sentencing.”
Following the same step, Kazeem Gbadamosi SAN strongly objected to Justice Oshodi’s continued handling of the case, arguing that the judge’s statement effectively convicted Emefiele before the trial was complete.
He called for the judge to step down from further involvement in the case.
