An Ikeja Special Offences Court has scheduled April 17 for the adoption of final written addresses in the trial-within-trial involving Henry Omoile, who is standing trial alongside former Central Bank of Nigeria governor, Godwin Emefiele. The case is part of an ongoing corruption trial linked to financial transactions worth billions.

Emefiele is facing a 19-count charge that includes allegations of abuse of office, corrupt demands, and unlawful gratification. Prosecutors claim the offences are connected to transactions totaling about $4.5 billion and N2.8 billion.

Omoile, said to be an associate of the former CBN governor, is also being prosecuted on a three-count charge. The charges relate to alleged unlawful acceptance of gifts while acting as an agent in financial dealings associated with the apex bank.

Justice Rahman Oshodi adjourned the case after the cross-examination of Omoile. The judge instructed both the prosecution and defence teams to file and exchange their written submissions starting from March 23 ahead of the April hearing.

The trial-within-trial was introduced to determine whether the statement allegedly made by Omoile to investigators of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was given voluntarily. The defendant claims he was pressured and threatened during the interrogation.

However, the EFCC has denied those claims and filed a counter-affidavit challenging the allegations of coercion. The court will review the final written addresses before deciding whether the statement can be admitted as evidence in the main trial.