The Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja has set January 7, 2025, to deliver its ruling on an objection raised by Godwin Emefiele, the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Emefiele and his co-defendant, Henry Omoile, are facing 26 charges, including alleged fraud amounting to $4.5 billion and N2.8 billion, filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
During the court session on Thursday, Emefiele’s legal team, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Olalekan Ojo, challenged the court’s jurisdiction. Ojo argued that the alleged offences, such as abuse of office, occurred outside the jurisdiction of the Lagos Special Offences Court in Ikeja. He maintained that the case violated Section 36(12) of the Nigerian Constitution, as the charges outlined did not constitute legally recognized offences.
Ojo further contended that the Lagos State House of Assembly lacked the authority to legislate on matters under the Exclusive Legislative List. Therefore, he argued, Section 73 of the Lagos State Criminal Law 2011 should not apply to the case. As a result, he called for the dismissal of charges one to four, stating they fell outside the court’s territorial jurisdiction.
In response, EFCC counsel Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN) opposed the objections, asserting that the charges involved economic and financial crimes, which fall under the EFCC’s jurisdiction. Oyedepo argued that evidence and testimonies placed the alleged offences within Lagos, making the court the proper venue for the trial. He dismissed the defence’s claims as lacking factual or legal merit.
After hearing arguments from both sides, Justice Rahman Oshodi adjourned proceedings, scheduling the ruling on the jurisdictional objection for January 7, 2025.
