…Both Emefiele and Omoile are standing trial on charges bordering on accepting gratification,
ABUJA, NIGERIA- The iNews Times | Emefiele’s trial took a new turn on Thursday as a defence witness, Nnamdi Offial, told the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja that officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) attempted to pressure his client, Henry Omoile, into implicating the former Central Bank Governor.
Offial, counsel to Omoile, the second defendant in the ongoing trial over alleged $4.5 billion and ₦2.8 million fraud involving Emefiele made the claim while testifying in a trial-within-a-trial ordered by Justice Rahman Oshodi to ascertain whether Omoile’s statement to the EFCC was made voluntarily.
He alleged that EFCC operatives offered inducements such as bail and possible immunity from prosecution if Omoile agreed to provide incriminating information against Emefiele.
Both Emefiele and Omoile are standing trial on charges bordering on accepting gratification, receiving gifts through proxies, corruption and fraudulent receipt of property. The EFCC also accused them of granting corrupt advantages to associates, contrary to the Corrupt Practices Act, 2000. They have both pleaded not guilty.
Testifying at the resumed hearing, Offial said the leader of the EFCC interrogation team assured Omoile that cooperation would attract leniency. He further alleged that the interrogation was conducted in a rigid question-and-answer format, with investigators allegedly refusing to allow Omoile to record responses that did not suit their narrative.
According to him, on several occasions, Omoile responded to questions but was prevented from writing down answers that did not align with what investigators wanted. Offial said he objected repeatedly to the approach.
He also told the court that after the interrogation session on February 26, 2024, officers informed him that Omoile would remain in custody. The following day, he discovered that his client was being questioned in his absence and challenged the procedure.
Offial alleged that an officer identified as David confronted him over his objections, leading to an altercation during which he was escorted out of the EFCC premises. He said he reported the incident to the team leader, who asked him to stay in the waiting area.
He added that he did not regain access to Omoile until around 8pm, when his client was returned to the detention facility. Offial said he was later informed that Omoile had declined to cooperate and would not be released, prompting him to apply for bail from the EFCC zonal head.
He further disclosed that Omoile was detained for 21 days, which led him to file a fundamental rights enforcement suit at the Federal High Court in Lagos.
According to Offial, Justice Muslim Hamza granted bail but ordered that Omoile be remanded at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre pending the fulfilment of bail conditions.
However, during cross-examination, EFCC prosecutor, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), extracted several admissions from the witness. Offial confirmed that Omoile was duly cautioned in his presence and that he signed the caution. He also admitted that he took part in the statement-taking process and understood that any statement made could be used against his client in court.
He further acknowledged that he did not lodge any formal complaint or petition against the EFCC over the alleged misconduct, that the court in the fundamental rights suit did not fault the EFCC, and that his client was not harassed in his presence.
