An Ikeja Special Offences Court has ruled against Godwin Emefiele, the embattled former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, dismissing his application challenging the court’s jurisdiction to hear charges brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The EFCC has filed a 26-count charge accusing Emefiele of abuse of office, leading to financial losses of $4.5 billion and ₦2.8 billion. His co-defendant, Henry Omoile, is also facing related charges, including unlawful acceptance of gifts.
In his ruling, Justice Rahman Oshodi held that the court had territorial jurisdiction over counts eight to 26 of the charges based on evidence provided.
However, he struck out counts one to four, which pertained to the allocation of foreign exchange, stating that such actions were not defined as offences under Nigerian law.
“Allocation of foreign exchange without reason is not defined as an offence in any written law,” Oshodi ruled, dismissing Emefiele’s objections to the remaining charges. The case will continue on February 24.
Emefiele’s counsel, Olalekan Ojo (SAN), had argued that the charges, particularly counts one to four, violated Section 36(12) of the Nigerian Constitution and fell outside the court’s territorial jurisdiction.
Ojo further contended that the Lagos State House of Assembly lacked authority to legislate on matters on the Exclusive Legislative List, rendering some charges unconstitutional.
He urged the court to strike out these counts, asserting that the alleged offences occurred outside Lagos and thus beyond the court’s reach.
EFCC counsel Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN) countered the claims, arguing that the offences were economic crimes within the commission’s jurisdiction.
Oyedepo presented evidence and witness testimonies linking the alleged crimes to Lagos, asserting that the court was the appropriate venue for the trial.
He further argued that the defense’s objections were unsubstantiated and failed to address the facts presented in the case.
With the court dismissing the jurisdiction challenge for most charges, the trial is set to proceed as scheduled.
