The Lagos State Particular Offences Courtroom in Ikeja has set January 7, 2025, to resolve on the objection raised by former Central Financial institution of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele, relating to the $4.5bn and N2.8bn fraud expenses introduced in opposition to him by the Financial and Monetary Crimes Fee.
Emefiele, alongside along with his co-defendant, Henry Omoile, is going through 26 counts filed by the EFCC earlier than Justice Rahman Oshodi.
At Thursday’s listening to, Emefiele’s lawyer, Olalekan Ojo (SAN), argued that the court docket lacked territorial jurisdiction to listen to the case in Lagos.
He contended that the alleged offences, together with abuse of workplace, have been dedicated exterior the jurisdiction of the Ikeja Particular Offences Courtroom.
Ojo maintained that the costs violated Part 36(12) of the Nigerian Structure, asserting that the alleged actions weren’t legally recognised offences.
He additional argued that the Lagos State Home of Meeting doesn’t have legislative authority over issues on the Unique Legislative Record, making Part 73 of the Felony Regulation of Lagos State 2011 inapplicable to the case.
He urged the court docket to strike out counts one to 4 of the amended cost sheet filed on April 4, 2024, because the alleged offences occurred exterior the court docket’s jurisdiction.
In response, EFCC counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), defended the court docket’s authority to preside over the case.
He argued that the costs have been financial and monetary crimes inside the EFCC’s jurisdiction and that proof supported Lagos as the correct venue for the trial.
Oyedepo acknowledged that the offences have been dedicated inside the court docket’s territorial attain, with proof and witness testimonies confirming Lagos as the suitable location for the proceedings. He maintained that the defence’s objections lacked factual and evidentiary help.
After listening to arguments from each side, Justice Oshodi adjourned the case to January 7, 2025, for a ruling on the objection.