“No Evidence Of Threat Or Coercion” — Court Admits Omoile’s February 26 Statements In Emefiele Trial

Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, on Monday admitted in evidence some extrajudicial statements made by Henry Omoile, co-defendant of former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele, in the ongoing trial filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

Omoile had challenged the admissibility of the statements he made to the EFCC, alleging that they were obtained under oppression and inducement.

The objection led the court to conduct a trial-within-trial to determine whether the statements were made voluntarily.

Omoile is facing a three-count charge bordering on unlawful acceptance of gifts as an agent, while Emefiele is standing trial on a 19-count charge filed by the EFCC over alleged gratification and corrupt demands during his tenure as CBN governor.

Both defendants pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

At Monday’s proceedings, Chinenye Okezie appeared for the prosecution, while Labi Lawal, SAN, represented both defendants.

Delivering ruling after the mini-trial, Justice Oshodi held that the prosecution had proved that the statements obtained from Omoile on February 26, 2024, were made voluntarily and were not the product of inducement, threat or coercion.

“I have carefully considered the evidence presented during the mini trial. The environment was active, and there is no evidence that the second defendant was physically harmed. I am satisfied that the prosecution has proven beyond reasonable doubt that the statement was made voluntarily,” the judge held.

The court consequently ruled that the statements made on February 26, 2024, marked as Exhibits 1 to 3, were not obtained under duress and were admissible in evidence.

However, the court rejected the statements dated February 27, 2024, on the ground that they were not made in the presence of a legal practitioner or recorded on video.

Following the ruling, Justice Oshodi adjourned the matter to June 26, June 30, July 6 and July 8, 2026, for continuation of trial.