Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, has ruled that the extrajudicial statements made by Henry Omoile, co-defendant of former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele, are admissible in evidence.
Omoile had challenged the admissibility of the statements he made to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, claiming they were obtained through oppression and inducement.
The objection prompted the court to conduct a trial-within-trial to determine whether the statements were made voluntarily.
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 filed by the EFCC over alleged gratification and corrupt demands during his tenure as CBN Governor.
The two defendants had pleaded not guilty to all charges.
At today’s proceedings, C.C. Okezie appeared for the prosecution, while Labi Lawal, SAN, represented both defendants.
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In his ruling, Justice Oshodi held that the prosecution successfully established that the statements obtained from Omoile on February 26, 2024, were made voluntarily and not under any form of threat, coercion, or inducement.
According to the judge, there was no evidence before the court showing that Omoile was physically harmed while making the statements.
“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,” Justice Oshodi held.
The court consequently admitted the statements dated February 26, 2024, marked as Exhibits 1 to 3, as evidence.
However, the judge rejected another statement dated February 27, 2024, on the ground that it was neither made in the presence of a legal practitioner nor recorded on video as required by law.
The matter was thereafter adjourned to June 26, June 30, and July 6 and 8, 2026, for continuation of trial.
