Henry Omoile, who is standing trial alongside former Central Bank Governor Godwin Emefiele over an alleged $4.5 billion fraud, has told the court that he lied in the statement he made to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
Omoile made the claim on Friday while testifying during a trial-within-trial before Justice Rahman Oshodi at the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos.
The court had ordered the trial-within-trial to determine whether the statement he made to EFCC investigators was given voluntarily.
While testifying, Omoile told the court that the statements marked as Exhibits TWT 1 to 4 did not contain a genuine confession.
He claimed he wrote the statements because investigators allegedly pressured him to include information they wanted.
According to him, EFCC officials threatened that he would be taken to court if he refused to write the statement as directed.
Omoile said he only complied because he wanted the situation to end and hoped he would be allowed to go home.
The prosecution, led by Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, later cross-examined the defendant during the court proceedings.
During questioning, Omoile admitted that he was cautioned before making the statement and that he signed the cautionary words presented to him.
He also confirmed that the EFCC had filed a counter-affidavit challenging the claims he made, although he did not tender the document before the court.
The defendant further told the court that he had discussed filing a fundamental human rights enforcement suit with his lawyer and confirmed that a motion ex parte had been submitted earlier that day.
When asked if he had filed any petition against the EFCC investigators over the alleged threats, Omoile admitted that he had not done so.
Earlier in the proceedings, he alleged that investigators attempted to pressure him to implicate Emefiele in the case.
He claimed the head of the investigative team, identified as Alvan, allegedly suggested he might be granted bail and possibly avoid charges if he cooperated by providing evidence against the former apex bank chief.
Emefiele is currently facing a 19-count charge involving alleged corruption and unlawful demands during his tenure as head of the Central Bank, while Omoile faces a separate three-count charge related to the alleged unlawful acceptance of gifts as an agent.
Both defendants have pleaded not guilty to the charges filed against them.
After hearing arguments from both sides, Justice Oshodi adjourned the matter until April 17, 2026, for the adoption of final written addresses.