An Ikeja Special Offences Court has refused the application of a former Governor of Central Bank, Godwin Emefiele, who was seeking for the presiding judge, Ramon Oshodi, to recuse himself from further hearing the case on the allegation of bias.
In his ruling on Wednesday, Justice Oshodi held that Mr Emefiele’s application was unsubstantiated to warrant his withdrawal from the case.
The court also granted the first defendant leave to appeal its earlier ruling in January, where it dismissed the former apex bank chief’s legal challenge against the charge.
On Monday, both lead defence Counsel, Olalekan Ojo (SAN) and Kazeem Gbadamosi (SAN) had made the application for recusal after the court allowed
EFCC’s Lead Counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN) to ask the seventh prosecution witness, Adetola John,
a question deemed by the defence to be leading. And, when
the prosecution concluded its evidence-in-chief, both senior defence counsel refused to cross examine the witmess and then asked the judge to recuse himself on the ground of the likelihood of bias.
But, Mr Oyedepo opposed the application saying there was no evidence of such allegation, and accused the defence of staging a delay tactic in the trial.
Mr Emefiele is standing trial on a 19-count charge bordering on allegedly receiving gratification and corrupt demands totaling $4.5bn and N2.8bn, being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
His co-defendant, Henry Omoile, is facing a three-count charge bordering on an alleged unlawful acceptance of gifts by agents.
Further hearing is fixed for May 26.
