A defence witness in the corruption trial of former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele on Thursday alleged that operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) attempted to pressure one of his co-defendants into providing false statements implicating the former governor.

The witness, legal practitioner Nnamdi Offial, made the claim during a trial-within-a-trial ordered by Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja. The mini-trial is aimed at determining whether the statement of Henry Omoile, the second defendant, was made voluntarily.

Emefiele and Omoile face charges involving the alleged acceptance of gratification, receipt of gifts through agents, corruption, fraudulent receipt of property, and conferring corrupt advantages, relating to sums of approximately $4.5 billion and N2.8 million. Both defendants have pleaded not guilty.

Offial told the court that during Omoile’s interrogation at the EFCC office, investigators repeatedly pressured him to provide incriminating statements against Emefiele, promising inducements such as bail or non-prosecution in exchange for cooperation.

“The head of the interrogation team made it clear that cooperation would earn leniency,” Offial said. “It appeared the EFCC was more interested in statements implicating Emefiele than in obtaining my client’s independent account of events.”

The defence witness further alleged that Omoile was restricted from writing answers that did not conform to EFCC expectations. After the February 26, 2024 session, Omoile was reportedly detained overnight and continued to be interrogated in Offial’s absence.

Offial said he challenged the irregular process, resulting in a confrontation with one EFCC officer, identified as David, and was temporarily barred from accessing his client. Omoile was eventually detained for a total of 21 days, prompting Offial to file a fundamental rights enforcement suit at the Federal High Court in Lagos. Justice Muslim Hamza granted bail but ordered that Omoile remain in Ikoyi Correctional Centre pending the perfection of bail conditions.

During cross-examination by EFCC lead prosecutor Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), Offial admitted that Omoile was cautioned in his presence, signed the statement, and that he understood it could be used as evidence. He also confirmed he had not filed any formal complaint against the EFCC and acknowledged that no judicial finding has formally indicted the EFCC for misconduct. He further stated that his client was not physically harassed or assaulted.

Justice Oshodi adjourned the matter to January 16, 2026, for the continuation of the trial-within-a-trial to determine the admissibility of Omoile’s statement in the main corruption case.