The Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja has set January 7, 2025, to decide on the objection raised by former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele, regarding the $4.5bn and N2.8bn fraud charges brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
Emefiele and his co-defendant, Henry Omoile, face 26 counts filed by the EFCC before Justice Rahman Oshodi.
At Thursday’s hearing, Emefiele’s lawyer, Olalekan Ojo (SAN), argued that the court lacked territorial jurisdiction to hear the case in Lagos.
He contended that the alleged offences, including abuse of office, were committed outside the jurisdiction of the Ikeja Special Offences Court.
Ojo argued that the charges contravened Section 36(12) of the Nigerian Constitution, contending that the alleged actions did not constitute legally recognized offences.
He also stated that the Lagos State House of Assembly lacks legislative authority over issues on the Exclusive Legislative List, rendering Section 73 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011 irrelevant to the case.
He urged the court to strike out counts one to four of the amended charge sheet filed on April 4, 2024, as the alleged offences occurred outside the court’s jurisdiction.
