Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja has refused to withdraw from the trial of former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele, dismissing allegations of bias as unsubstantiated.
Delivering his ruling on Wednesday, February 26, Justice Oshodi stated that there was no evidence to justify his recusal.
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The defence, led by Olalekan Ojo, had orally applied for the judge’s withdrawal from Emefiele’s trial on Monday, arguing that his previous rulings suggested a likelihood of bias.
However, Rotimi Oyedepo, counsel for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, opposed the request, maintaining that the proceedings had been fair.
After reviewing the arguments, Justice Oshodi ruled that the application lacked merit.
“The claims of bias have not been substantiated by either of the defendants.
“Accordingly, the first and second defendants’ recusal application is refused,” he ruled.