EFCC Says Defendant’s Statements Were Voluntary In Emefiele Case

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission told the Special Offences Court in Ikeja on Tuesday that Henry Omoile, the second defendant in the $4.5 billion fraud case involving former Central Bank Governor Godwin Emefiele, gave his statements without pressure.

The agency made this claim during a trial-within-trial ordered to determine whether the statements were made freely.

The case centres on allegations that Emefiele received unlawful benefits, while Omoile is accused of accepting gifts. Both men have denied the allegations. The dispute over Omoile’s statements began when the prosecution asked the court to accept them as evidence, and the defence objected, saying they were not made voluntarily.

Testifying for the EFCC, operative Alvan Gurumnaan told the court that no officer threatened or intimidated Omoile. He said the defendant made his statements at the EFCC Lagos office on February 26 and 27, 2024, in an open conference room routinely used for such procedures. According to him, Omoile arrived with the Acting Managing Director of NIBSS and his lawyer, who was present throughout.

The court accepted four statements as exhibits after Gurumnaan explained that Omoile was properly cautioned and personally signed each document. He noted that the defendant even wrote a line stating he was making the statement in the presence of his lawyer. A visitors’ register was also presented to show that the lawyer was at the office on both days.

During cross-examination, Gurumnaan admitted that the EFCC did not make a video recording of the sessions, even though it is part of the agency’s usual practice. He said some situations make recording difficult, but maintained that nothing improper happened.

Justice Oshodi adjourned the trial-within-trial to January 15 and 16, 2026, when more arguments will be taken on whether the statements will stand as evidence.