An operative of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Alvan Gurumnaan, provided testimony yesterday before the Special Offences Court in Ikeja, Lagos, concerning Henry Omoile, the second defendant in the ongoing trial of former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele. Gurumnaan disclosed that Omoile was held in the commission’s custody for 24 days before being released on bail, explaining that the prolonged detention was due to Omoile's inability to meet the set bail conditions.

Henry Omoile faces 26 counts, including charges bordering on abuse of office and alleged fraud involving $4.5 billion and N2.8 billion, alongside Mr. Emefiele. Both defendants have entered pleas of not guilty to the charges.

During a trial-within-trial, Gurumnaan steadfastly maintained that Omoile’s statements were made voluntarily and were not obtained through any form of coercion. He asserted, “The second defendant did not make any statement under duress. Our officers do not force statements through violence,” and emphasized that EFCC operatives are trained professionals who do not resort to threats, violence, or intimidation to extract statements. Furthermore, he noted that if duress is alleged, the responsibility to prove it lies with the defendant.

The trial-within-trial was initiated by Justice Oshodi following an objection by defence counsel Kotoye Adeyinka (SAN) regarding the admissibility of Omoile’s extra-judicial statements. These statements had been sought by prosecuting counsel Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN) to be tendered as evidence during a court sitting on October 9, 2025.

Gurumnaan, who is now based in Abuja but previously worked with the Special Operations Unit of EFCC Lagos Zonal Command 1, detailed the circumstances under which Omoile’s statements were recorded. He described how the statements were taken openly in a spacious conference room located on the first floor of Block A at the EFCC Lagos Directorate 1, Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, asserting that such an environment made coercion impossible. He expressed surprise at Omoile's subsequent objection to the statements, particularly because the defendant had appeared at the EFCC office on February 26, 2024, accompanied by the Acting Managing Director of NIBSS and his lawyer, Mr. E.N. Offiong. “The statements were taken openly. There is no way we could have done that under threat,” Gurumnaan reiterated.

The court admitted four statements as Exhibits 1–4 in the mini-trial. Three of these statements were recorded on February 26, 2024, and one on February 27, 2024. Gurumnaan confirmed that Omoile was in custody when these statements were made and that suspects are routinely cautioned beforehand, with the cautionary words administered by another team member, Mr. Azeez Ajigbotosho. He informed the court that Omoile signed the statements and specifically wrote, “I am making this statement in the presence of my lawyer, Offiong.” Although one of the statements did not explicitly reflect the lawyer’s presence, Gurumnaan insisted that Offiong was present on both days and tendered the EFCC visitors’ register to substantiate his claim.

Under cross-examination by defence counsel Olalekan Ojo (SAN) and Kotoye Adeyinka (SAN), Gurumnaan admitted that the commission did not produce video recordings of the statement-taking sessions. He acknowledged that video documentation is part of EFCC’s standard procedure but explained that certain situations could render video recording impracticable. Following the cross-examination, Justice Oshodi adjourned further hearing in the trial-within-trial to January 15 and January 16, 2026.