The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has urged Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja to dismiss an application filed by Godwin Emefiele, the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), which challenges the court’s jurisdiction over his trial.
In a statement on Thursday, the EFCC, represented by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Rotimi Oyedepo, described Emefiele’s application as a deliberate attempt to obstruct the course of justice and prevent the prosecution from fulfilling its constitutional mandate to investigate and prosecute economic and financial crimes. Oyedepo argued that the Lagos State High Court has the full jurisdiction to hear and decide the charges against Emefiele, rejecting claims made by Emefiele’s legal team, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Olalekan Ojo.
Ojo, in his application, contended that the court lacked the authority to hear the charges, arguing that Emefiele could not be prosecuted in any state high court in Nigeria for alleged abuse of office. Ojo raised constitutional and legal concerns, asserting that the prosecution of Emefiele for abuse of office, which occurred during his tenure as CBN Governor, posed significant legal challenges. He further argued that several of the charges—specifically counts one to four out of the 26-count indictment—were unconstitutional, as they did not align with any existing Nigerian laws. Ojo insisted that the court lacked the jurisdiction to hear these charges, calling for their dismissal on these grounds.
In response, Oyedepo emphasized that the charges against Emefiele pertain to economic and financial crimes, which fall under the EFCC’s mandate to investigate and prosecute. He asserted that the Lagos State High Court, where the alleged offences occurred, is the appropriate forum for the case. Oyedepo requested that the court reject Emefiele’s application questioning its jurisdiction, describing it as meritless, and urged the judge to take full jurisdiction over the case.
Following the presentations from both parties, Justice Oshodi scheduled a ruling on the matter for January 7, 2025.
Emefiele is facing charges alongside Herry Omoile, accused by the EFCC of accepting bribes, receiving gifts through intermediaries, engaging in corruption, and facilitating fraudulent property transactions. The anti-corruption agency also alleges that Emefiele provided corrupt benefits to associates in violation of the Corrupt Practices Act 2000.
Both defendants have pleaded not guilty to the charges.
