The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday told an Ikeja Special Offences Court that the statements made by Henry Omoile, co-defendant in the corruption trial of former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, were not obtained under duress.
Emefiele is facing a 19-count charge bordering on gratification, corrupt demands and abuse of office linked to alleged financial transactions totalling $4.5 billion and ₦2.8 billion. Omoile, described as his associate, is charged with three counts relating to the alleged unlawful acceptance of gifts while acting as an agent in transactions connected to the CBN.
EFCC operative Alvan Gurumnaan, led in evidence by prosecuting counsel Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), testified in a trial-within-trial that Omoile’s statements were “lawfully obtained.”
“The second defendant did not make any statement under duress,” Gurumnaan said, insisting that EFCC officers neither coerce nor threaten suspects. He added that Omoile was properly cautioned by an operative under his supervision, Azeez Ajigbotosho.
Gurumnaan told the court that Omoile made the statements in the EFCC conference room at Block A, Lagos Directorate 1, and had arrived on Feb. 26, 2024, with his lawyer, Mr E. N. Offiong — a detail he said affirmed the voluntariness of the process.
He testified that Omoile raised no objection at the time the statements were taken, saying the later allegation of coercion “came as a surprise.” The court subsequently admitted four statements made by Omoile as Exhibits 1 to 4. Three were taken on Feb. 26, 2024, and one on Feb. 27, 2024.
Under cross-examination, the EFCC witness admitted that the agency did not provide video recordings of the sessions despite having such procedures. He attributed the absence to “operational circumstances,” saying recordings sometimes cannot be made during sensitive investigations.
Gurumnaan also confirmed that Omoile remained in EFCC custody after making the statements.
Justice Rahman Oshodi adjourned the trial-within-trial to Jan. 15, 2026, to continue determining whether the statements were voluntary.
The prosecution had earlier attempted to tender the disputed statements on Oct. 9, but Omoile’s counsel, Adeyinka Kotoye (SAN), objected, insisting they were made under pressure while his client was in detention. The objection led the judge to order the ongoing trial-within-trial, delaying the main proceedings.
The case is expected to continue with more witnesses and documents at the next sitting.
