The Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, on Monday ruled that the extra-judicial statements made by Henry Omoile, co-defendant in the alleged $4.5 billion fraud case involving the former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, are admissible in evidence.
Justice Rahman Oshodi held that the prosecution had sufficiently proved that the statements obtained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on February 26, 2024, were made voluntarily and not under duress, threat, or inducement.
Omoile had earlier challenged the admissibility of his statements, alleging that they were extracted under oppression and inducement, prompting the court to conduct a trial-within-trial to determine their voluntariness.
Delivering his ruling, the judge noted that evidence presented during the mini trial showed no indication of coercion or physical harm, adding that the environment in which the statements were taken supported their voluntariness.
“I am satisfied that the prosecution has proven beyond reasonable doubt that the statement was made voluntarily,” Justice Oshodi ruled.
The court consequently admitted exhibits 1 to 3 as valid evidence.
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Omoile is standing trial on a three-count charge bordering on unlawful acceptance of gifts as an agent, while Emefiele faces a 19-count charge filed by the EFCC over alleged gratification and corrupt demands during his tenure as CBN governor.
Both defendants have pleaded not guilty.
The case was adjourned to June 26, June 30, and July 6 and 8, 2026, for continuation of hearing.
