Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Special Offences Court in Ikeja, Lagos, has ruled that some extrajudicial statements made by Henry Omoile, co-defendant to former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, are admissible in court.
Omoile had challenged the statements he made to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), alleging they were obtained under oppression and inducement, prompting a trial-within-trial to determine their voluntariness.
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 related to alleged gratification and corrupt demands during his tenure as CBN Governor. Both defendants have pleaded not guilty.
At Monday’s proceedings, Chinenye Okezie appeared for the prosecution, while Labi Lawal, SAN, represented the defendants.
In his ruling, Justice Oshodi held that the prosecution had proven that the statements made on February 26, 2024, were voluntary and not obtained through inducement, threat, or coercion.
“I have carefully considered the evidence presented during the mini trial… I am satisfied that the prosecution has proven beyond reasonable doubt that the statement was made voluntarily,” the judge said.
The court admitted the statements, marked as Exhibits 1–3, as evidence.
However, the court rejected statements dated February 27, 2024, ruling that they were not made in the presence of a legal practitioner or recorded on video.
The case was adjourned to June 26, June 30, and July 6 and 8, 2026, for continuation of trial.
