Defence alleges coercion during EFCC interrogation
A defence witness on Thursday told the Special Offences Court in Ikeja that officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission attempted to pressure a defendant into implicating former Central Bank Governor Godwin Emefiele.
The allegation was made by Nnamdi Offial, counsel to Henry Omoile, during a trial-within-a-trial ordered to determine whether Omoile’s statement to the EFCC was made voluntarily.
Alleged inducements and interrogation tactics
Offial alleged that EFCC investigators offered inducements, including bail and possible non-prosecution, if Omoile agreed to provide incriminating evidence against Emefiele.
He told the court that interrogators restricted Omoile to answers that aligned with their expectations and refused to allow him write responses they did not approve.
“On several occasions, questions were put to the second defendant and he answered, but he was not allowed to write them down because the answers did not conform to what the interrogators wanted,” Offial said.
Lawyer recounts detention and access dispute
Offial said after an interrogation session on February 26, 2024, officers informed him that Omoile would remain in detention. He added that the following day, his client was interrogated without his presence, prompting a confrontation that led to his removal from the premises.
He said he only regained access to Omoile around 8pm, after which he was told the defendant had refused to cooperate and would not be released.
Detention and court intervention
According to Offial, Omoile was detained for 21 days, leading him to file a fundamental rights enforcement suit at the Federal High Court in Lagos.
He said Justice Muslim Hamza granted bail but ordered that Omoile be remanded at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre pending the perfection of bail conditions.
EFCC cross-examination highlights
During cross-examination by EFCC prosecutor Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), Offial admitted that Omoile was cautioned in his presence and signed the caution.
He also confirmed that he participated in the statement-taking process, did not file any petition against the EFCC, and that the court handling the fundamental rights suit did not indict the commission for misconduct.
Charges and next hearing
Emefiele and Omoile are standing trial over allegations of accepting gratification, corruption, and fraudulent receipt of property, including charges under the Corrupt Practices Act 2000. Both have pleaded not guilty.
Justice Rahman Oshodi adjourned the matter to January 16, 2026, for continuation of the trial-within-a-trial.
