The trial of former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, over an alleged $4.5 billion fraud took another turn on Friday as the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, reserved its decision on the admissibility of statements allegedly made by the ex-CBN chief until July 9, 2026.
Justice Rahman Oshodi fixed the date after hearing arguments from both the prosecution and the defence over whether Emefiele’s extra-judicial statements were voluntarily made and could be admitted as evidence in the ongoing trial.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting Emefiele on a 19-count charge bordering on alleged gratification and corrupt demands during his tenure as CBN Governor.
His co-defendant, Henry Omoile, is standing trial on three counts relating to the alleged unlawful acceptance of gifts by an agent. Both men have denied all allegations.
At Friday’s proceedings, defence counsel, Olalekan Ojo (SAN), urged the court to reject the statements the prosecution sought to tender, insisting they were extracted under oppressive conditions while his client was detained by the Department of State Services (DSS) for more than 157 days.
He argued that the absence of a video recording of the interrogation raised serious doubts about the voluntariness of the statements, maintaining that the prosecution had failed to provide independent evidence to validate them.
According to the defence, any uncertainty surrounding the circumstances under which the statements were obtained should be resolved in favour of the accused.
Responding, Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), led the prosecution’s eighth witness, EFCC investigator Alvan Gurumnaan, who testified that Emefiele was questioned in the presence of his legal representative throughout the interview sessions.
The witness disclosed that the prosecution had voluntarily withdrawn Emefiele’s statement dated October 26, 2023, while seeking to tender subsequent statements recorded on October 27, October 30, November 1 and November 2, 2023.
He maintained that the withdrawal of the earlier statement was not an admission that it had been obtained through torture or oppression.
Oyedepo further argued that the defence’s objection did not warrant a trial-within-trial because none of the statements amounted to a confession.
Responding, Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), led the prosecution’s eighth witness, EFCC investigator Alvan Gurumnaan, who testified that Emefiele was questioned in the presence of his legal representative throughout the interview sessions.
The witness disclosed that the prosecution had voluntarily withdrawn Emefiele’s statement dated October 26, 2023, while seeking to tender subsequent statements recorded on October 27, October 30, November 1 and November 2, 2023.
He maintained that the withdrawal of the earlier statement was not an admission that it had been obtained through torture or oppression.
Oyedepo further argued that the defence’s objection did not warrant a trial-within-trial because none of the statements amounted to a confession.
He also contended that the Anti-Torture Act did not make such a procedure compulsory in the circumstances and urged the court to allow the trial to proceed without further delay.
Earlier, counsel to the second defendant, Adeyinka Kotoye (SAN), informed the court of a pending application seeking leave to appeal an earlier ruling. The prosecution raised no objection, prompting Justice Oshodi to grant the request.
After hearing all submissions, the judge adjourned the case until July 9 for a ruling on the admissibility of Emefiele’s statements.
The court also scheduled October 6, 7 and 8, as well as November 11, 12 and 13, 2026, for the continuation of the substantive trial.
Earlier, counsel to the second defendant, Adeyinka Kotoye (SAN), informed the court of a pending application seeking leave to appeal an earlier ruling. The prosecution raised no objection, prompting Justice Oshodi to grant the request.
After hearing all submissions, the judge adjourned the case until July 9 for a ruling on the admissibility of Emefiele’s statements.
The court also scheduled October 6, 7 and 8, as well as November 11, 12 and 13, 2026, for the continuation of the substantive trial.
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