A defence witness in the ongoing $4.5bn and N2.8m fraud trial involving former Central Bank Governor Godwin Emefiele alleged that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) tried to coerce his client, Henry Omoile, into providing incriminating evidence against Emefiele.
Nnamdi Offial, representing Omoile, made the claim on Thursday at the Special Offences Court in Ikeja during a trial-within-a-trial to determine if Omoile’s statement to the EFCC was given voluntarily. He said EFCC officials offered inducements, including promises of bail and non-prosecution, in exchange for cooperation against Emefiele.
Omoile and Emefiele face charges of accepting gratification, receiving gifts through agents, corruption, and fraudulent receipt of property, as well as conferring corrupt advantages on associates under the Corrupt Practices Act 2000. Both defendants have pleaded not guilty.
Offial testified that EFCC investigators restricted Omoile’s responses, refusing to allow him to record answers that did not fit their narrative. He described incidents where he was barred from observing interrogations and confronted by EFCC officers when he intervened.
The lawyer said Omoile was detained for 21 days, prompting him to file a fundamental rights enforcement suit at the Federal High Court, Lagos. Justice Muslim Hamza granted bail but remanded Omoile at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre pending the completion of bail conditions.
During cross-examination, EFCC prosecutor Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN) confirmed that Offial witnessed the cautioning of Omoile and understood that his statements could be used in court. Offial admitted he did not report the alleged misconduct to authorities and that the court in the fundamental rights suit did not indict the EFCC.
Justice Rahman Oshodi adjourned the trial-within-a-trial to January 16, 2026, for continuation.
