The Lagos State Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja on Friday adjourned proceedings until May 4, 2026, for ruling on the admissibility of statements made by the second defendant, Henry Omolie, in the ongoing mini trial within the alleged $4.5 billion and ₦2.8 billion fraud case involving former Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele.

The mini trial was ordered by the court to determine whether statements the prosecution intends to rely on were made voluntarily or under duress.

Omolie, through written addresses adopted by his counsel, Akinsanya Kotoye (SAN), alongside Emefiele’s counsel, Olalekan Ojo (SAN), before Justice Rahman Oshodi, alleged that his statements to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) were obtained under threats, intimidation, inducement, and undue influence.

He further contended that he was subjected to psychological pressure during interrogation, claiming his lawyer was allegedly removed from the interrogation room, thereby denying him legal representation. Omolie also alleged that he was made to write statements on blank A4 sheets, which were subsequently reviewed and rewritten under instruction. He further claimed he was promised release if he implicated Emefiele.

Citing Section 17(2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice framework, the defence argued that the absence of video recording of the statement-taking process rendered the documents unreliable and inadmissible. Kotoye submitted that video evidence is a key method of establishing voluntariness in confessional and non-confessional statements.

The prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), however, maintained that the statements were made voluntarily and in line with due process. He argued that the absence of video recording does not invalidate the statements and noted that an EFCC witness had earlier testified that Omolie’s statements were given freely, contradicting the defence’s position.

At the centre of the mini trial is whether the disputed statements can be admitted as evidence in the substantive trial. The defence insists that the burden lies on the prosecution to prove voluntariness and argues that failure to provide video evidence should weigh against admissibility, in line with judicial precedents. It also maintained that the legal requirement applies to all statements, not only confessional ones.

Emefiele is standing trial on a 19-count charge bordering on alleged gratification, corrupt demands, and abuse of office linked to financial transactions running into billions. Omolie, his associate, faces a three-count charge relating to alleged unlawful acceptance of gifts while acting as an agent in transactions connected to the Central Bank of Nigeria.

Justice Rahman Oshodi adjourned the matter until May 4, 2026, for ruling on the admissibility of the contested statements, while the substantive trial has been fixed to continue on June 26, 2026.