Nigeria, Feb. 27 -- A judge of the Lagos State Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, on Wednesday, refused an application of a former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, asking the trial judge to recuse himself from the case on the allegation of bias.

The judge, R.A. Oshodi, dismissed the application in a ruling on the application for the judge's withdrawal brought up during the 24 February proceedings.

Mr Emefiele is standing trial on 19 counts of receiving gratification and corrupt demand preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

His co-defendant, Henry Omoile, is facing three counts of unlawful acceptance of gifts by agents.

They pleaded "not guilty" to the charges....