The Lagos State Special Offences Court has dismissed an application by Godwin Emefiele, former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), challenging the court’s jurisdiction to hear the $4.5 billion and N2.8 billion fraud charges brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Justice Rahman Oshodi, delivering the ruling on Wednesday, affirmed that the court has the jurisdiction to try Emefiele and his co-defendant, Henry Omoile. However, the judge struck out four out of the 26 charges filed 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,” Justice Oshodi stated.
Following this ruling, the judge adjourned the case for trial continuation on February 24, 2025.
The EFCC had arraigned Emefiele on 26 charges relating to the abuse of office and illegal allocation of $4.5 billion and N2.8 billion. At the previous hearing on December 12, 2024, Emefiele’s counsel, Mr. Olalekan Ojo (SAN), had argued that the court lacked jurisdiction to hear the case in Lagos.
Emefiele, who was suspended as CBN Governor on June 14, 2023, by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, is facing legal battles following his removal from office.
