A Lagos State Special Offences Court has admitted key extra-judicial statements made by Henry Omoile, a co-defendant in the joint trial alongside former Central Bank of Nigeria governor Godwin Emefiele. In a ruling delivered on Monday, Judge Rahman Oshodi held that statements made by Mr Omoile on 26 February 2024 were voluntary and therefore admissible as evidence. However, the court rejected another set of statements dated 27 February 2024, ruling that they were neither made in the presence of a legal practitioner nor recorded on video.
The admissibility of the statements became a focal issue after the defence challenged the conditions under which they were obtained while Mr Omoile was in EFCC custody. A trial-within-trial was conducted to determine their voluntariness. In the joint trial, Mr Omoile is facing three counts of unlawful acceptance of gifts as an agent, while Mr Emefiele faces 19 counts, including alleged gratification and corrupt demands during his tenure as CBN governor. Both men have pleaded not guilty.
The admitted statements, marked as Exhibits 1–3, were tendered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, which is prosecuting both defendants. Following the ruling, the court adjourned the case until 26 and 30 June, and 6 and 8 July for the continuation of the trial.
From an institutional integrity perspective, the ruling underscores the importance of procedural compliance in anti‑corruption prosecutions. The rejection of the second set of statements for failing to meet legal standards highlights the judiciary’s role in safeguarding due process. The outcome of this high-profile case carries significant implications for public confidence in Nigeria’s financial regulatory system and the fight against graft.
