Taiwo Popoola
The Lagos State Special Offences Court, on Wednesday, dismissed an application filed by former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, challenging the court’s jurisdiction to entertain the $4.5 billion and N2.8 billion fraud charges brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
Justice Rahman Oshodi, in his ruling, held that the court had the jurisdiction to try Emefiele and his co-defendant, Henry Omoile.
The judge, however, struck out four of the 26 counts filed by the EFCC against the defendants for lack of jurisdiction.
“The objection challenging the court’s territorial jurisdiction over counts eight to 26 fails and is hereby dismissed.
“The prosecution has established sufficient territorial nexus in this case,” the court held.
To this end, the judge subsequently adjourned the case for trial continuation on February 24, 2025.
The EFCC had arraigned Emefiele on 26 charges, bordering on abuse of office and illegal allocation of $4.5 billion and N2.8 billion.
At the last adjourned date on December 12, 2024, Emefiele’s counsel, Mr. Olalekan Ojo (SAN), argued that the court lacked jurisdiction to hear the case in Lagos.
The embattled Emefiele was Suspended As CBN governor on June 14, 2023, by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government.
