Two Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN), Olalekan Ojo and Kazeem Gbadamosi, have accused Justice Abdulrahman Oshodi of bias in the trial of former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele. They have called for the judge to recuse himself from further proceedings.
Justice Oshodi has scheduled a ruling for February 26 on the application seeking his withdrawal from the case.
At Monday’s hearing, Emefiele’s lead counsel, Olalekan Ojo (SAN), filed an application requesting the judge’s recusal, citing concerns over bias. The defence’s objection stemmed from a statement made by Justice Oshodi during the examination-in-chief of prosecution witness Adetola John. The judge allegedly declared in open court that the bribery allegation against Emefiele had been proven—a statement made while prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), was leading the witness.
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Ojo argued that such a pronouncement, before the trial’s conclusion and before the defence had cross-examined the witness, indicated the judge had already made up his mind. “This court granted an accelerated hearing, but what we are witnessing is accelerated sentencing,” he said.
Gbadamosi (SAN) echoed the concerns, insisting that the judge’s remarks suggested a predetermined conviction and that Justice Oshodi should step down from the trial.
Justice Oshodi is expected to rule on the recusal application on February 26.
