A Lagos Special Offences Court, Ikeja, has scheduled January 7, 2025, to deliver a ruling on the jurisdictional issue raised by Godwin Emefiele, the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), who is facing abuse of office charges.
Emefiele is accused of a 26-count charge brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) involving alleged misconduct that resulted in a loss of $4.5 billion and N2.8 billion.
He is facing the charges alongside Henry Omoile, who is also implicated in the case related to the unlawful acceptance of gifts.
During the proceedings, Emefiele’s counsel, Olalekan Ojo (SAN), argued that the court in Lagos lacked the jurisdiction to hear the case.
He contended that the alleged offenses occurred outside the court’s territorial jurisdiction, noting that the charges were based on actions that did not fall within the geographical boundaries of the Ikeja Special Offences Court.
Ojo also claimed that the charges violated Section 36(12) of the Nigerian Constitution and that the Lagos State House of Assembly does not have authority to legislate over matters related to the Exclusive Legislative List.
He further asserted that the charges filed under Section 73 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State could not apply extraterritorially.
In response, EFCC counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), argued that the court did indeed have jurisdiction, asserting that the alleged crimes were financial in nature and that Lagos was the appropriate venue for the trial.
He emphasized that evidence pointed to Lagos as the location where the crimes were committed, countering Emefiele’s team’s claims.
After hearing the submissions from both sides, Justice Rahman Oshodi adjourned the matter, with a decision on the jurisdictional challenge expected on January 7, 2025.
