IKEJA, LAGOS – Explosive testimony rocked the Lagos State Special Offences Court on Thursday as a defence witness alleged that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) used closed-end interrogation tactics and empty promises of freedom to pressure a defendant into implicating former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele.
Nnamdi Ofia, a legal practitioner with a decade of experience, testified before Justice Rahman Oshodi in a trial-within-trial.
The proceedings were specifically convened to determine the voluntariness of statements made by the second defendant, Henry Omoile, who is standing trial alongside Emefiele over an alleged $4.5 billion and ₦2.8 billion fraud.
Mr Ofia, who serves as counsel to Omoile, told the court that he was forcibly prevented from performing his professional duties during his client's interrogation at the EFCC office.
He recounted a specific instance where an official, identified only as Mr David, walked him out of the interrogation room after he insisted that his client’s statement be taken in his presence.
“On the second day, I arrived at the EFCC office and insisted my client's statement must be taken in the presence of his lawyer.
“One Mr David asked what right I had to challenge their procedure and subsequently walked me out. I was surprised,” Ofia testified.
The witness further alleged that despite being told to wait by the head of the team, Mr Alvan Gurumnaan, he was kept in a separate area from 10:00 am until 8:00 pm while his client was being questioned in isolation.
According to Ofia, the EFCC interrogators did not allow Omoile to provide his narrative. Instead, they reportedly used a prepared question and answers format designed to suit the agency’s investigative goals.
“He was interrogated with closed-ended questions and was told to answer in a way that suited the officials. There were various occasions when I interjected, but they said it was either that I allowed him to answer their way or not at all,” Ofia claimed.
The witness also told the court that Omoile was offered a “carrot-and-stick” deal: freedom and no charges if he cooperated by providing incriminating evidence against Emefiele.
Ofia argued that these promises were deliberate inducements intended to make Omoile sign a statement he did not truly intend to write.
Godwin Emefiele is facing a 19-count charge bordering on the receipt of gratification, corrupt demands, and conferring corrupt advantages.
Omoile, on his part, is facing a separate three-count charge related to the unlawful acceptance of gifts by an agent.
Both defendants have maintained their innocence, pleading not guilty to all counts.
The trial-within-trial became necessary after Omoile informed the court that the statements being tendered as evidence by the EFCC were obtained under extreme duress and through coercion.
Justice Rahman Oshodi has adjourned the matter until Friday, January 16, 2026, for further hearing.
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