Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, on Monday ruled that the extrajudicial statement made by Henry Omoile, co-defendant to former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, is admissible in evidence.
Omoile had earlier challenged the admissibility of the statement he made to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), claiming it was obtained under oppression and inducement. His objection prompted the court to conduct a trial-within-trial to determine whether the statement was made voluntarily.
Omoile is facing a three-count charge bordering on the unlawful acceptance of gifts as an agent, while Emefiele is being prosecuted on a 19-count charge filed by the EFCC, relating to alleged gratification and corrupt demands during his tenure as CBN Governor.
Both defendants have pleaded not guilty to the charges.
At the resumed hearing, C.C. Okezie appeared for the prosecution, while Labi Lawal, SAN, represented the first and second defendants.
In his ruling, Justice Oshodi held that the prosecution had successfully established 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 said.
The court subsequently admitted the statements, marked as Exhibits 1 to 3, as evidence, ruling that they were not obtained under duress.
Following the decision, the court adjourned the matter to June 26, June 30, and July 6 and 8, 2026, for continuation of trial.
