The Lagos State Special Offences Court located in Ikeja has scheduled a ruling for January 7, 2025, concerning the objection raised by former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele, pertaining to the fraud charges amounting to $4.5 billion and ₦2.8 billion filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Naija News reports that Emefiele, alongside his co-defendant, Henry Omoile, is facing a total of 26 charges brought forth by the EFCC before Justice Rahman Oshodi.
During the hearing on Thursday, December 12, 2024, Emefiele’s attorney, Olalekan Ojo (SAN), contended that the court lacked the necessary territorial jurisdiction to adjudicate the case in Lagos.
He argued that the alleged offences, which include abuse of office, were purportedly committed outside the jurisdiction of the Ikeja Special Offences Court.
Ojo asserted that the charges contravened Section 36(12) of the Nigerian Constitution, claiming that the actions in question were not recognized as legal offences.
Additionally, he argued that the Lagos State House of Assembly does not possess legislative authority over issues listed under the Exclusive Legislative List, rendering Section 73 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011 inapplicable to this case.
He requested that the court dismiss one to four of the amended charge sheet submitted on April 4, 2024, on the grounds that the alleged offences took place outside the court’s jurisdiction.
In rebuttal, EFCC counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), defended the court’s jurisdiction to hear the case.
He maintained that the charges constituted economic and financial crimes within the EFCC’s purview and that there was sufficient evidence to establish Lagos as the appropriate venue for the trial.
Oyedepo asserted that the alleged offences occurred within the jurisdiction of the court, supported by evidence and witness testimonies that identified Lagos as the suitable venue for the proceedings. He argued that the objections raised by the defence were devoid of factual and evidentiary backing.
Naija News reports that following the presentation of arguments from both parties, Justice Oshodi postponed the case until January 7, 2025, to deliver a ruling on the objection.