An Ikeja Special Offences Court on Wednesday dismissed an application filed by former Central Bank Governor Godwin Emefiele, challenging its jurisdiction to hear the corruption charges against him.
Emefiele faces a 26-count indictment from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for alleged misuse of office, resulting in financial losses of $4.5 billion and ₦2.8 billion. His co-defendant, Henry Omoile, is charged with related offences, including unlawful acceptance of gifts.
Presiding judge, Justice Rahman Oshodi, ruled that the court had jurisdiction to try Emefiele on counts eight to 26, citing sufficient territorial connections established by the EFCC. However, counts one to four, which alleged abuse of office through foreign exchange allocations without bidding, were struck out.
“Allocation of foreign exchange without reason is not defined as an offence in any written law,” Oshodi stated. He dismissed Emefiele’s objection to the court’s territorial jurisdiction over the remaining charges, allowing the case to proceed to trial.
Emefiele’s lawyer, Olalekan Ojo (SAN), argued that the court lacked jurisdiction because the alleged offences occurred outside Lagos State.
He maintained that the charges violated Section 36(12) of the Nigerian Constitution and claimed the actions attributed to Emefiele were not legally recognised as offences.
The EFCC’s counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), countered that the charges were economic and financial crimes within the EFCC’s purview.
He also argued that the evidence showed Lagos as the appropriate venue for the trial.
The court adjourned the case to February 24 for the continuation of the trial. If convicted, Emefiele faces significant legal consequences in what is seen as a high-profile test of Nigeria’s anti-corruption efforts.