Mathew Amaechi
In a significant development, the Lagos State Special Offences Court has dismissed an application by former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele, challenging the court’s jurisdiction to hear his case.
Justice Rahman Oshodi ruled that the court has jurisdiction to try Emefiele on 23 counts of financial misconduct, alleging a loss of $4.5 billion and ₦2.8 billion.However, the court struck out four counts related to abuse of office, citing a lack of legal basis.
The charges focused on allegations of foreign exchange allocation without bids, which the judge ruled was not defined as an offence under Nigerian law.The charges focused on allegations of foreign exchange allocation without bids, which the judge ruled was not defined as an offence under Nigerian law.
“Allocation of foreign exchange without reason is not defined as an offence in any written law. “The objection to counts one to four succeeds and is hereby struck out,” Justice Oshodi said.
Emefiele, alongside his co-defendant Henry Omoile, is facing a 26-count charge alleging financial misconduct resulting in a loss of $4.5 billion and ₦2.8 billion. Emefiele’s counsel had argued that the Lagos court lacked jurisdiction, as the alleged offences occurred outside its territorial reach.
But the EFCC counsel countered that the alleged crimes fell within the EFCC’s jurisdiction, providing evidence and witness testimonies to establish Lagos as the appropriate venue for the trial.The court has set February 24 and 26, 2025, for the continuation of the trial. Emefiele and his co-defendant, Henry Omoile, will face trial on the remaining 23 counts.
