Counsel to Henry Omoile, a co-defendant in the alleged $4.5 billion fraud trial involving former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, has told the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) never harassed his client during interrogation.
The defence counsel, E.N. Offial, made the disclosure on Thursday, 15 January 2026, while testifying before Justice Rahman Oshodi in the ongoing trial-within-trial instituted to determine the voluntariness of Omoile’s statement to the EFCC.
Emefiele is facing a 19-count charge relating to receiving gratification and making corrupt demands during his tenure as CBN Governor, while Omoile is standing trial on a three-count charge concerning the unlawful acceptance of gifts as an agent. Both defendants have pleaded not guilty to all charges..
During cross-examination by the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, Offial admitted that his client was duly cautioned in his presence before making his statement.
“The second defendant was cautioned, and I was present when he signed the caution,” Offial told the court.
He further acknowledged that he actively participated in the interrogation process and was aware that whatever his client wrote in the statement could be tendered and used against him in court.
When asked whether he lodged any complaint or filed a petition against the EFCC over the alleged conduct of its investigators, the defence counsel responded in the negative.
“I did not make any complaint, and no petition was filed against the EFCC,” he admitted.
Offial also conceded that the court which earlier heard Omoile’s fundamental rights enforcement suit did not find the EFCC guilty of any misconduct.
“The court did not indict the EFCC, and my client was not harassed in my presence,” he added.
Earlier in the proceedings, the witness had alleged that EFCC investigators attempted to coerce his client into implicating Emefiele. He claimed that investigators made promises to Omoile in exchange for incriminating the former CBN governor.
According to Offial, Omoile informed him that the head of the EFCC interrogation team allegedly assured him of bail and the possibility of not being charged if he cooperated with investigators. However, the prosecution maintained that these claims were unfounded.
The witness further testified that the interrogation was conducted in a question-and-answer format.
“He was required to answer the questions satisfactorily before writing them on the statement sheet,” Offial said.
After hearing the testimony, Justice Oshodi adjourned the matter until Friday, January 2026, for the continuation of proceedings.
