Emefiele: Court schedules April 17 for adoption of final addresses in trial-within-trial

An Ikeja Special Offences Court on Friday set April 17 as the date for the adoption of final written addresses in the ongoing trial-within-trial involving Henry Omoile, who is standing trial alongside former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele.

Emefiele is currently facing a 19-count charge that includes allegations of receiving gratification, making corrupt demands, and abusing his office in connection with major financial transactions.

Omoile, believed to be his associate, is being prosecuted on a three-count charge relating to the alleged unlawful acceptance of gifts while acting as an agent in transactions connected to the CBN.

Prosecutors say the charges involve financial dealings estimated at about $4.5 billion and N2.8 billion, which they argue represent serious violations of due process and public trust.

At Friday’s proceedings, Justice Rahman Oshodi adjourned the matter until April 17 for the adoption of final written addresses after Omoile concluded his cross-examination.

The judge also directed both the prosecution and the defence to file and exchange their written submissions starting from March 23 ahead of the scheduled date.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the trial-within-trial was initiated to determine whether the statement allegedly obtained from Omoile during interrogation by EFCC investigators was made voluntarily.

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While being cross-examined by EFCC counsel, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), Omoile claimed he was subjected to intimidation, threats, and promises of release if he complied with instructions from the anti-graft agency’s operatives.

He told the court that he eventually provided statements he described as false because investigators assured him that cooperation would lead to his freedom.

Oyedepo informed the court that the EFCC had filed a counter-affidavit disputing the defendant’s claims of coercion.

However, he added that the defence team had not yet responded to the affidavit.

Counsel for Omoile, Mr. Adeyinka Kotoye (SAN), opposed the prosecution’s stance, arguing that the key issue before the court was whether the statement in question was made willingly.

He maintained that the defence was challenging the statement on the grounds that the defendant was allegedly subjected to intimidation, pressure, and inducements while in EFCC custody.

NAN further reports that during the trial-within-trial on January 15, Omoile’s lawyer, Mr. Nnamdi Ofia, accused the EFCC of attempting to pressure his client into implicating Emefiele during questioning.

Ofia testified that investigators allegedly promised Omoile bail and the possibility of avoiding prosecution if he provided statements that incriminated the former CBN governor.

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According to him, the interrogation was conducted in a question-and-answer format, with investigators insisting that Omoile give responses they considered satisfactory before allowing him to write them down in his statement.

He claimed that certain responses from his client were rejected because they did not align with what investigators expected.

Ofia further alleged that tensions rose during the interrogation when he questioned the process, after which an officer identified as David reportedly asked him to leave the EFCC premises.

However, during cross-examination, Ofia admitted that Omoile was formally cautioned in his presence before making the statement and that the defendant signed the caution form.

He also acknowledged participating in the statement-taking process and confirmed that he was aware that whatever his client wrote could be used against him in court.

Ofia also told the court that he did not file any petition or formal complaint against the EFCC over the alleged misconduct.

Additionally, he confirmed that a judge who previously handled a fundamental rights enforcement case filed on behalf of Omoile did not find the EFCC guilty of any wrongdoing.

According to NAN, the court will proceed with the adoption of final addresses in the trial-within-trial on April 17.

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