COURT ADMITS OMOILE’S EFCC STATEMENT IN EMEFIELE TRIAL, REJECTS ONE OVER LEGAL PROCEDURE

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By Aishat Momoh. O.

Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, has ruled that the extrajudicial statement made by Henry Omoile, an associate of former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor Godwin Emefiele, is admissible in court.

Omoile had challenged the admissibility of the statement he made to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, alleging it was obtained under oppression and inducement, prompting the court to conduct a trial-within-trial to determine its voluntariness.

In his ruling delivered on Monday, Justice Oshodi held that the prosecution successfully proved that the statement obtained on February 26, 2024, was made voluntarily and without any form of 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 stated.

The court subsequently admitted the statements dated February 26, 2024, marked as Exhibits 1–3, as evidence.

However, the court rejected another statement dated February 27, 2024, on the grounds that it was not made in the presence of a legal practitioner nor recorded on video, as required by law.

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 involving alleged gratification and corrupt demands during his tenure as CBN Governor. Both defendants have pleaded not guilty.

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