Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Lagos State Special Offences Court, Ikeja on Monday, May 4, 2026 admitted extra-judicial statements made by Henry Omoile, co-defendant to the former Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Godwin Emefiele.
The court ruled that the statements made on February 26, 2024, marked as Exhibits 1–3, were not obtained under duress and were therefore admissible as evidence.
The court however did not admit the statements dated 27 February, 2024 on the the premise that it was not made in the presence of a legal practitioner neither was the statement taken by video recording.
The judge’s decision followed a trial-within-trial, when Justice Oshodi held that the prosecution had successfully proven that the statements obtained on the 26th of February, 2024 were made voluntarily and not under any form of inducement, threat, or 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.”
Omoile had challenged the admissibility of his statements to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, alleging that it was obtained under oppression and inducement.
It would be recalled that the second defendant; Omoile, in the ongoing trial had through his lawyer, Adeyinka Kotoye, SAN, challenged the admissibility of both statements tendered by the EFCC on the ground that, the statements were not voluntarily obtained.
The trial-within-trial commenced in December 2025 to determine the voluntariness or otherwise of the statement.
Omoile is presently 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 agency, bordering on alleged gratification and corrupt demands while he was the apex bank governor.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to all charges at the their arraignment.
During the proceedings, C.C. Okezie appeared for the prosecution while Labi Lawal, SAN, announced appearance for both first and second defendants.
Justice Oshodi adjourned the case to June 26, June 30, and July 6 and 8, 2026, for continuation of trial.
