Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Ikeja Special Offences Court has admitted into evidence extra-judicial statements made by former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, in his ongoing trial over alleged abuse of office and fraud.
The statements, which Emefiele reportedly made on October 27, October 30, November 1 and November 2, 2023, were admitted as Exhibit P31 after the court overruled objections raised by the defence.
Emefiele’s lead counsel, Olalekan Ojo (SAN), had opposed the admissibility of the statements, arguing that they were not voluntarily made.
The defence maintained that the former CBN governor was subjected to oppression as well as physical and mental torture during his detention by the Department of State Services (DSS) for more than 157 days.
Delivering his ruling on Thursday, Justice Oshodi dismissed the defence’s objections and admitted the statements into evidence.
“The first defendant’s statements, made on October 27, October 30 and November 1 and 2, 2023, have been admitted in evidence and marked as exhibits,” the judge held.
At the resumed hearing, Oluwafemi Ojo represented the lead defence counsel, while E. A. Fashola appeared for Emefiele’s co-defendant, Henry Omoile.
Earlier, the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), alongside Bilikisu Buhari and C. C. Okezie, called the eighth prosecution witness, Alvan Gurumnaan, an investigator with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Testifying before the court, Gurumnaan said Emefiele was invited for questioning and that all interviews were conducted in the presence of his legal representative.
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The witness disclosed that the prosecution had voluntarily withdrawn a statement dated October 26, 2023, but sought to tender the statements made on October 27, October 30, November 1 and November 2.
“If the defence does not want that statement, we are prepared to withdraw it. We are withdrawing it not because it was obtained through torture or oppression.
“There is nothing in the defendant’s statements that can be construed as an admission of the facts in issue,” Oyedepo submitted.
Following the ruling, Justice Oshodi adjourned the case to October 6, 7 and 8, as well as November 11, 12 and 13, 2026, for continuation of the trial.
Emefiele is being prosecuted by the EFCC on a 19-count charge bordering on alleged abuse of office and the alleged misappropriation of $4.5 billion and N2.8 billion during his tenure as CBN governor.
His co-defendant, Henry Omoile, is facing a three-count charge relating to the alleged unlawful acceptance of gifts by an agent.
Both defendants have pleaded not guilty to all charges.
