reports that the statement was made by Henry Omoile, who is standing trial alongside Emefiele, and the court will determine whether it was made voluntarily and is admissible as evidence.

Justice Rahman Oshodi fixed the date after both prosecution and defence counsel adopted their final written addresses during a trial-within-trial proceeding.

The hearing is focused on whether Omoile’s statement was obtained under lawful conditions or through coercion, as alleged by the defence.

Emefiele is facing a 19-count charge bordering on alleged gratification, corrupt demands, and abuse of office, linked to transactions worth about $4.5 billion and ₦2.8 billion.

Omoile is also facing a three-count charge over alleged unlawful acceptance of gifts relating to dealings with the Central Bank of Nigeria.

Omoile’s counsel, Adeyinka Kotoye (SAN), argued that the statement should be rejected, claiming it was not made voluntarily and violated provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, including lack of video recording and concerns over coercion.

Emefiele’s lawyer, Olalekan Ojo (SAN), also urged the court to discount the statement, arguing that involuntary statements are inadmissible under the Evidence Act.

However, the prosecution, led by Director of Public Prosecutions Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), insisted the statement was properly obtained and made in the presence of Omoile’s lawyer.

He added that the content of the statement did not support claims of coercion and did not implicate Emefiele.

The court adjourned ruling to May 4, 2026, while also fixing June 26 and June 30, 2026, for continuation of the main trial.

reports that the party said the President should be “scared” of possible defeat, pointing to rising inflation, unemployment, debt burden, and worsening security across the country.

In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC criticised Tinubu’s recent comments mocking opposition parties, describing them as “unpresidential.”

The party argued that the President’s remarks reflected a disconnect from the struggles of ordinary Nigerians, saying leadership should focus on solving hardship rather than politics.

According to the statement: “What Nigerians saw was not the confidence of a leader in control, but the anxiety of a President increasingly disconnected from reality.”

The ADC said issues such as food inflation, cost of living, and insecurity remain top concerns for citizens, while kidnappings and violence continue in many parts of the country.

It also faulted the President for allegedly prioritising political commentary over addressing national challenges.

The party dismissed claims that its national convention was poorly held, insisting such narratives were misleading and blamed restrictions on public venues for opposition gatherings.

It further accused the government of shrinking democratic space and weakening key institutions, including the legislature.

The ADC maintained that the worsening economic and security situation would strongly influence voters in 2027, adding that it is preparing to present a credible alternative focused on governance and recovery.