The ongoing trial of former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, at the Lagos State Special Offences Court was stalled on Tuesday after his absence due to another trial in Abuja.
Justice Rahman Oshodi subsequently vacated the dates earlier fixed for the proceedings and adjourned the case to November 11, 12 and 13, 2026.
Emefiele is being prosecuted alongside Henry Omoile by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on allegations bordering on abuse of office, receiving gratification, corrupt demands and fraudulent receipt of property in transactions involving about $4.5bn and N2.8bn.
Emefiele faces 19 counts, while Omoile is charged with three counts relating to the alleged unlawful acceptance of gifts as an agent. Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
At Tuesday’s proceedings, counsel to Emefiele, Abdulakeem Labi-Lawal, SAN, informed the court that his client would not be available because he was attending another trial in Abuja.
EFCC prosecutor, C.C. Okezie, told the court that Emefiele had written to notify it of the scheduling conflict, saying the Abuja proceedings were fixed for the same dates as the Lagos case.
However, counsel to Omoile, A. Kotoye, SAN, expressed concern over the development, saying he had not received any notification regarding Emefiele’s absence.
Kotoye said, “I don't know why the court will be treating the second defendant as if he is not part of the proceedings.”
Labi-Lawal subsequently asked the court to vacate the October dates, arguing that it could be difficult for Emefiele to travel from Abuja to Lagos immediately after appearing in the other case.
He also told the court that the former CBN governor had another pending case in Abuja, whose schedule could not be predicted.
After hearing the submissions, Justice Oshodi vacated the October dates and fixed November 11, 12 and 13 for continuation of the trial.
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