UPDATE: COURT DISMISSES EMEFIELE'S APPLICATION TO HALT $4.5BN, N2. 8BN FRAUD TRIAL. (PHOTO).
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Court Dismisses Emefiele’s Application to Halt $4.5bn, N2.8bn Fraud Trial
The Lagos State Special Offences Court has rejected an application by former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele to dismiss fraud charges of $4.5bn and N2.8bn brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
In his ruling, Justice Rahman Oshodi affirmed the court's jurisdiction to try Emefiele and his co-defendant, Henry Omoile, dismissing objections related to counts eight to 26. However, four of the 26 charges were struck out due to jurisdictional limitations.
Justice Oshodi clarified:
“Allocation of foreign exchange without reason is not defined as an offence under any written law.”
“The objection to counts one to four succeeds and is hereby struck out.”
“The prosecution has established sufficient territorial nexus in this case.”
The EFCC’s charges against Emefiele include abuse of office and illegal allocation of funds. The trial has been adjourned to February 24 and 26, 2025, for continuation.
Emefiele’s legal team, led by Olalekan Ojo (SAN), argued that the court lacked jurisdiction as the alleged offences fell outside Lagos State’s territorial reach. Ojo also contended that the charges violated the Nigerian constitution and were not recognized under Nigerian law.
EFCC counsel Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN) countered that the court had the authority to hear the case, citing substantial evidence supporting Lagos as the appropriate venue for the trial.
The ruling marks a critical development in the high-profile fraud case involving the former CBN governor.
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