Embattled former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, has secured the service of Olalekan Ojo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria to lead his defence in his ongoing trial for alleged fraud. 

Emefiele is standing trial before Justice Hamza Muazu, sitting in Maitama, Abuja, on an amended 20-count charge bordering on a criminal breach of trust, forgery, abuse of office, conspiracy to obtain money by false pretence, and obtaining money by false pretences. 

He is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on behalf of the Nigerian government.

The embattled Emefiele was, among others, alleged to have knowingly obtained by false pretence the sum of $6,230,000 purportedly meant for international election observers for the 2023 general elections.

The lawyer, Ojo became famous for his defence of Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, a former Chief Security Officer to the late military Head of State, General Sani Abacha.

Ojo defended Al-Mustapha and his suspected collaborators in the murder of Kudirat Abiola, the widow of Bashorun Moshood Abiola, the widely acknowledged winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election. 

Justice Mojisola Dada of the Lagos High Court sentenced Al-Mustapha to death on January 30, 2013. However, the Court of Appeal overturned the decision months later.

On Monday, when Emefiele's case was heard, Ojo stated that he had submitted a preliminary objection to the action, claiming that the charge against his client was constitutionally and jurisdictionally faulty. He urged the court to discontinue the trial.

Justice Mojisola Dada of the Lagos High Court sentenced Al-Mustapha to death on January 30, 2013. 

However, the Court of Appeal overturned the decision months later. 

The presiding judge, Justice Rahman Oshodi held that he would take a decision after the determination of all applications. He then deferred ruling on the matter. 

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