The Lagos State Special Offences Court, on Wednesday, rejected an application by former Central Bank of Nigeria governor Godwin Emefiele, which sought to challenge the court’s authority to hear fraud charges totalling $4.5 billion and ₦2.8 billion, filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
In his ruling, Justice Rahman Oshodi affirmed that the court holds the jurisdiction to proceed with the trial of Emefiele and his co-defendant, Henry Omoile.
However, the judge struck out four of the 26 charges brought against the defendants by the EFCC, citing a lack of jurisdiction over those specific counts.
“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.
As a result, the judge adjourned the case, setting a new date for the trial to continue on 24th February 2025.
The EFCC had charged Emefiele with 26 counts, which included abuse of office and the unlawful allocation of $4.5 billion and ₦2.8 billion.
During the previous hearing on 12th December 2024, Emefiele’s counsel, Mr. Olalekan Ojo (SAN), argued that the court did not have jurisdiction to hear the case in Lagos.
Emefiele, who has been at the centre of controversy, was suspended as governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria on 14th June 2023 by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
