The Special Offences Division of the Lagos High Court has ruled that the extrajudicial statement made by Henry Omoile, co-defendant of former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele, is admissible in evidence.
Omoile had challenged the admissibility of statements he made to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), alleging they were obtained under oppression and inducement. This prompted a trial-within-trial to determine whether the statements were made voluntarily.
Justice Rahman Oshodi is presiding over the case, in which Omoile faces a three-count charge bordering on unlawful acceptance of gifts as an agent, while Emefiele is standing trial on a 19-count charge of alleged gratification and corrupt demands during his tenure as CBN governor.
At arraignment, both defendants pleaded not guilty to all charges.
At the resumed hearing on Monday, EFCC counsel Chineye Okezie appeared for the prosecution, while Senior Advocate of Nigeria Labi Lawal represented both defendants.
Delivering ruling on the trial-within-trial, Justice Oshodi held that the prosecution had proved that statements obtained from Omoile on February 26, 2024, were made voluntarily and not under any form of threat, inducement, 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 ruled.
The court admitted Exhibits 1–3, the statements made on February 26, 2024, as voluntary and therefore admissible in evidence.
However, it rejected statements made on February 27, 2024, on the grounds that they were not taken in the presence of a legal practitioner or recorded on video, as required.
Following the ruling, Justice Oshodi adjourned the matter to June 26, June 30, and July 6 and 8, 2026, for continuation of trial.
