Former Nigerian Central Bank Governor Godwin Emefiele Seeks Exclusion of EFCC Statements Over Torture Claims

Former Central Bank of Nigeria governor Godwin Emefiele asked the Lagos State High Court to reject a bundle of statements the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) intends to use in his fraud trial. Emefiele’s counsel, senior advocate Olalekan Ojo, argued the statements were taken while his client was held incommunicado for more than 157 days and were therefore obtained under torture, violating the Evidence Act and the Anti‑Torture Act.

The prosecution, led by Director of Public Prosecutions Rotimi Oyedepo, withdrew one statement dated 26 October 2023 and contended that the remaining statements were not confessional, so a trial‑within‑trial to test voluntariness was unnecessary. Justice Rahman Oshodi reserved a decision on admissibility until 9 July 2026 and scheduled the substantive trial for 6‑9 October 2026. The case concerns alleged fraud of about $4.5 billion and ₦2.8 billion.