Emefiele trial: court defers key ruling after heated legal clash over co-defendant’s statement

Legal fireworks dominated proceedings in the trial of former Central Bank Governor Godwin Emefiele on Friday, as an Ikeja court adjourned to May 4, 2026, to decide whether a key statement by co-defendant Henry Omoile can be admitted as evidence.

Justice Rahman Oshodi fixed the date after both prosecution and defence finished arguments in a trial-within-trial on whether Omoile’s statement was given voluntarily. The defence argued the statement was obtained in breach of the ACJL, ACJA, and Evidence Act, pointing out there was no video recording and raising concerns about coercion. They urged the court to throw it out.

The prosecution, led by Rotimi Oyedepo, insisted the statement was obtained lawfully in the presence of a lawyer and without any duress. The exchange between both sides got heated, with defence counsel pressing hard on procedural failures and the prosecution standing firm on legality.

Emefiele faces 19 counts linked to alleged gratification and abuse of office involving approximately $4.5 billion and ₦2.8 billion. Omoile faces three counts over alleged unlawful gift acceptance. The figures alone make this one of the biggest financial crimes trials in Nigeria’s recent history.

The court also scheduled June 26 and June 30 for the continuation of the main trial. Whether Omoile’s statement becomes evidence — and potentially shifts the entire direction of the case — won’t be decided until May 4.

Sources: Matrix Nigeria, Nigeria Info FM, Premium Times, Vanguard