In a dramatic turn at the Ikeja High Court in Lagos, the defence lawyer for the second defendant in the trial of former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, has levelled serious allegations against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Allegations of Coercion and Promises
Barrister Nnamdi Offial, representing Henry Omoile, testified that EFCC investigators attempted to coerce his client into implicating the former apex bank chief. The testimony came during a trial-within-trial ordered by Justice Rahman Oshodi to determine if Omoile's statement to the anti-graft agency was given voluntarily.
Offial told the court that the head of the EFCC interrogation team made several promises to Omoile. He alleged that his client was assured he would be granted bail and might avoid charges entirely if he cooperated by providing evidence against Emefiele, the first defendant.
The Interrogation Process Questioned
The defence lawyer provided a detailed account of the interrogation process, which he described as highly controlled. He stated that questions were put to Omoile in a strict format, and he was only permitted to write down his responses after investigators were satisfied with his verbal answers.
"On several occasions, questions were put to the second defendant and he answered, but he was not allowed to write them down because the answers did not conform to what the interrogators wanted him to say. I objected to this many times," Offial testified.
He recounted a specific incident on February 27, 2024, when he was allegedly walked out of the EFCC premises by an official named David after questioning why an interrogation session was proceeding in his absence. Offial said he was barred from rendering legal services to his client until about 8pm that evening.
Detention and Bail Proceedings
Following the alleged refusal to cooperate, Omoile was detained for a total of 21 days. This detention prompted his legal team to file a fundamental rights enforcement suit at the Federal High Court in Lagos. Justice Muslim Hassan eventually granted bail but ordered Omoile to be remanded at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre pending the perfection of his bail conditions.
Under cross-examination by prosecution counsel Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), Offial made several admissions. He confirmed that he was present when Omoile was cautioned and that his client signed the cautionary statement. He also acknowledged that he was aware anything his client wrote could be used in court.
Notably, Offial admitted that he did not lodge any formal complaint against the EFCC regarding the alleged misconduct. He also conceded that the court in the fundamental rights suit did not find the anti-graft agency guilty of any wrongdoing.
Both Emefiele and Omoile are standing trial on multiple charges including:
- Accepting gratification
- Receiving gifts through agents
- Corruption
- Fraudulent receipt of property
The EFCC further alleges the defendants conferred corrupt advantages on associates, contravening the Corrupt Practices Act of 2000. Both men have pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Justice Oshodi has adjourned the matter to January 16 for the continuation of the hearing.
