Court rules on Emefiele’s $4.5bn fraud case Jan 7

The Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja has set January 7, 2025, to decide on the objection raised by former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele, regarding the $4.5bn and N2.8bn fraud charges brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

Emefiele, along with his co-defendant, Henry Omoile, is facing 26 counts filed by the EFCC before Justice Rahman Oshodi.

At Thursday’s hearing, Emefiele’s lawyer, Olalekan Ojo (SAN), argued that the court lacked territorial jurisdiction to hear the case in Lagos.

He contended that the alleged offences, including abuse of office, were committed outside the jurisdiction of the Ikeja Special Offences Court.

Ojo maintained that the charges violated Section 36(12) of the Nigerian Constitution, asserting that the alleged actions were not legally recognised offences.

He further argued that the Lagos State House of Assembly does not have legislative authority over matters on the Exclusive Legislative List, making Section 73 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011 inapplicable to the case.

He urged the court to strike out counts one to four of the amended charge sheet filed on April 4, 2024, as the alleged offences occurred outside the court’s jurisdiction.

In response, EFCC counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), defended the court’s authority to preside over the case.

He argued that the charges were economic and financial crimes within the EFCC’s jurisdiction and that evidence supported Lagos as the proper venue for the trial.

Oyedepo stated that the offences were committed within the court’s territorial reach, with evidence and witness testimonies confirming Lagos as the appropriate location for the proceedings. He maintained that the defence’s objections lacked factual and evidentiary support.

After hearing arguments from both sides, Justice Oshodi adjourned the case to January 7, 2025, for a ruling on the objection.