Court Defers Ruling In Emefiele Case After Heated Legal Clash

Legal fireworks dominated proceedings in the trial of Godwin Emefiele on Friday, as an Ikeja court adjourned till May 4, 2026, to decide whether a key statement by co-defendant Henry Omoile can be admitted as evidence.

Justice Rahman Oshodi fixed the date after both prosecution and defence concluded arguments in a trial-within-trial focused on the voluntariness of the statement.

Defence counsel argued the statement breached provisions of the ACJL, ACJA, and Evidence Act, stressing the absence of video recording and raising concerns of coercion. They urged the court to reject it.

But the prosecution, led by Rotimi Oyedepo, insisted the statement was lawfully obtained in the presence of a lawyer and without duress, urging its admission.

Emefiele is facing 19 counts linked to alleged gratification and abuse of office involving about $4.5bn and ₦2.8bn, while Omoile faces three counts over alleged unlawful gift acceptance.

The court also scheduled June 26 and June 30, 2026, for continuation of the main trial.