The Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja has scheduled January 7, 2025, to rule on the objection raised by former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele, regarding the $4.5 billion and N2.8 billion fraud charges brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Emefiele, along with his co-defendant, Henry Omoile, faces 26 counts filed by the EFCC before Justice Rahman Oshodi. At a recent hearing, Emefiele’s lawyer, Olalekan Ojo (SAN), argued that the court lacks territorial jurisdiction to hear the case in Lagos, contending that the alleged offenses were committed outside the court’s jurisdiction.
Ojo maintained that the charges violate Section 36(12) of the Nigerian Constitution, asserting that the alleged actions are not legally recognized offenses. He further argued that the Lagos State House of Assembly lacks legislative authority over matters on the Exclusive Legislative List, making Section 73 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011 inapplicable to the case.
In response, EFCC counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), defended the court’s authority to preside over the case, arguing that the charges are economic and financial crimes within the EFCC’s jurisdiction. Oyedepo stated that evidence supports Lagos as the proper venue for the trial and that the offenses were committed within the court’s territorial reach.
After hearing arguments from both sides, Justice Oshodi adjourned the case to January 7, 2025, for a ruling on the objection .
