A Lagos Special Offences Court on Monday admitted one extrajudicial statement and rejected another made by Henry Omoile, co-defendant in the $4.5 billion fraud trial of former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor Godwin Emefiele.
Justice Rahman Oshodi ruled that Omoile’s February 26, 2024 statement to the EFCC was voluntary and admissible.
“I have carefully considered the evidence during the trial-within-trial. The environment was active, and there is no indication the second defendant was physically harmed,” Oshodi said. “I am satisfied the prosecution proved beyond reasonable doubt that the statement was made voluntarily.”
The court, however, rejected Omoile’s February 27, 2024 statement for failing to meet Supreme Court standards. Oshodi cited the absence of video recording and the lack of endorsement by Omoile’s lawyer when it was taken.
Omoile had challenged both statements, claiming EFCC operatives obtained them under duress. That triggered a trial-within-trial to test voluntariness.
The February 26 statement was admitted as Exhibits 1–3.
Omoile faces three counts of unlawful acceptance of gifts as an agent. Emefiele is on trial for 19 counts of gratification and corrupt demands during his tenure as CBN governor. Both pleaded not guilty.
Justice Oshodi adjourned to June 26, June 30, and July 6 and 8, 2026, for continuation.
