Henry Omoile, who is standing trial alongside former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, over an alleged $4.5 billion fraud, has told the court that the statement he made to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was false.
Omoile made the claim while testifying in a trial-within-trial before Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos.
The proceeding was initiated to determine whether the statement he made to EFCC investigators was given voluntarily.
During his testimony, Omoile told the court that the statements admitted as Exhibits TWT 1–4 did not contain any genuine confession, insisting that he merely wrote what EFCC investigators allegedly directed him to write.
“The statement exhibits in trial-within-trial 1–4, I did not confess in that statement. I lied in my statement. EFCC threatened me that if I did not write what they wanted, they would charge me to court,” he said.
Emefiele is currently facing a 19-count charge filed by the EFCC bordering on receiving gratification and making corrupt demands during his tenure as CBN governor, while Omoile is facing a three-count charge related to the unlawful acceptance of gifts as an agent. Both defendants have pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Under cross-examination by prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, Omoile admitted that he was cautioned before making the statement and that he signed the cautionary words.
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When asked whether the EFCC had filed a counter-affidavit to challenge his allegations, Omoile said yes, but admitted he did not present the document before the court.
He also told the court that he had consulted his lawyer about filing a fundamental human rights enforcement suit and confirmed that a motion ex parte was submitted earlier that morning.
Further questioning revealed that the ruling he tendered had no direct connection with Exhibit D4, though Omoile maintained that both issues were related.
“I just wanted to go home,” he said while explaining the circumstances under which he made the statement.
Asked whether he had lodged any formal complaint or petition against the EFCC investigative team over the alleged threats, Omoile said he had not.
Earlier in the proceedings, Omoile alleged that EFCC investigators attempted to pressure him to implicate Emefiele.
He claimed the head of the investigative team, identified as Alvan, allegedly promised that he would be granted bail and possibly not charged if he provided incriminating evidence against the former CBN governor.
Following the testimony, Justice Oshodi adjourned the matter until April 17, 2026, for the adoption of final written addresses.
