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Tag: Emefiele

  • Emefiele’s aide, others named in $6.2m theft in CBN hiding in UK

    Emefiele’s aide, others named in $6.2m theft in CBN hiding in UK

    A Federal High Court in Abuja has been told that Odoh Ocheme, an aide to former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele, and others named in the theft of $6,230,000 cash from the CBN are currently residing in the United Kingdom (U.K).

    A police prosecutor, Celestine Odo,  revealed this in the court when an eight-count of theft pending against them was mentioned on Thursday.

     The others who are non-staff members of the apex bank are   Adamu Abubakar and Imam Abubakar.

    Odo recalled that the court had on February 7, 2024, issued an arrest warrant on the trio and that the International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL) was notified.

      “They are in the UK. Until they are pinned down and arrested, we cannot bring them before the court. We are relying on the cooperation of  INTERPOL member states to achieve this,” he said.

     The Police prosecutor subsequently applied for an adjournment to enable the INTERPOL to explore available options for their arrest.

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      Justice Inyang Ekwo, who was uncomfortable with the explanation, threatened to strike out the case on the next adjourned date should Odo repeat the excuse.

    He adjourned till November 3 for the arraignment of the defendants.

    A document filed along with the charge, marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/19/2014, provided insight into how the $6,230,000 was allegedly stolen on February 8, 2023 and shared.

    A special presidential investigative team led by Jim Obaze, which probed Emefiele’s tenure, claimed that the money was stolen to pay election observers.

    Investigators revealed, in the court document, that the alleged theft was an insider job by mainly CBN officials with the connivance of the two Abubakars.

    Ocheme, who was described in the document as a personal assistant to Emefiele allegedly received$3,730,000 out of the $6.23 million from the money. The remaining $2,500,000 was shared by others.

    Some counts against the trio read:

    *That Adamu Abubakar (now at large), Imam Abubakar (now at large), Odoh Eric Ocheme (now at large) Bashirudeen Maishanu and others (also now at large), on or about the 23’ day of January, 2023, at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court, forged a letter dated 23 January, 2023 purportedly written by Muhammad Buhari to the Mr Boss Mustapha, with the intent that the Central Bank of Nigeria, Abuja Branch may in the belief that the documents are genuine be induced to pay you   $6,230,000.00 and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 1(2)[c] of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap. M17 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2010; and

    *That Adamu Abubakar (now at large), Imam Abubakar (now at large), Odoh Eric Ocheme (now at large),  Bashirudeen Maishanu and others also now at large, on or about the 23rd  day of January 2023, at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court, forged a letter dated 26th January 2023 purportedly written by Boss Mustapha to Mr Godwin Emefiele as the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, with the intent that the CBN, Abuja branch believe that the documents are genuine and be induced to pay you   $6,230,000.

    *That Adamu Abubakar (now at large), Imam Abubakar (now at large), Odoh Eric Ocheme (now at large),   Bashirudeen Maishanu and others (also now at large) on or about the 23rd day of January 2023, at the Central Bank of Nigeria, Abuja Branch, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court, by false pretence that one man who held out himself as Jibril Abubakar is a staff of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and had approval of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to source money from the Central Bank of Nigeria for foreign Election Observers, and with intent to defraud, obtained $6,230,000 from the Central Bank of Nigeria, Abuja branch and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(1)[a] and punishable under Section 1(3) & Section 10 of the Advanced Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, Cap. A6 laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2010.’’

  • Court refuses to recuse itself from Emefiele’s trial

    Court refuses to recuse itself from Emefiele’s trial

    Justice Rahman Oshodi of an Ikeja Special Offences Court yesterday refused to recuse himself from the ongoing trial of former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele.

    Ruling of the matter, Justice Oshodi held that the defence team failed to substantiate its allegation of bias against him.

    The judge held that there was no evidence from the defence team to justify the need for him to withdraw from the case.

    Justice Oshodi consequently dismissed the defence team’s request for his recusal in the matter.

    The defence team, led by Olalekan Ojo (SAN), had orally applied on Monday for the judge to step down from the trial.

    He had then argued that the judge’s previous rulings suggested a likelihood of bias.

    But counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), opposed the application, insisting that the proceedings had been conducted fairly and equitably.

    Perusing the circumstances that led to his ruling on the matter, Justice Oshodi recalled that Ojo, who appeared for Emefiele, had, on Monday, made an oral application for the court to recuse itself for alleged bias.

    The judge said the alleged bias occurred when the court ruled that a document sought to be admitted by Oyedepo and was admitted earlier.

    He added that the court allowed questions to be asked on an electronic printout tendered over the case.

    Citing various authorities on judicial bias, including judgments of the Supreme Court, Justice Oshodi held that it is only when a judge makes a personal comment on a case before him that he could be deemed to be biased.

    The judge averred that such a situation was not established by the defence in the case.

    He said: “Bias in relation to determining a judicial bias must convey words of a likelihood of bias.”

    According to him, there is no iota of evidence that can be found in this case.

    After reviewing the arguments and legal authorities cited, Justice Oshodi ruled that the application by the defence lacked merit and he subsequently refused it.

    “The allegations of bias have not been substantiated. Accordingly, the application of the first and the second defence counsel is refused,” he said.

    After the court’s ruling, Ojo told the court that he had a motion on notice to appeal the ruling the court granted on January 8, rejecting the defence application which challenged the jurisdiction of the court to hear his case.

    Ruling on the application brought by the defence, the judge said: “I have considered the first defendant’s motion on notice to appeal the ruling of the court. An appeal is a constitutional right. Therefore, I grant the application for the first defendant to appeal the ruling on January 8, 2025.”

    Read Also: Court orders final forfeiture of $4.7m, N830m, properties linked to Emefiele

    After taking arguments from the counsel, Justice Oshodi adjourned the matter till May 26, 27 and 30 for continuation of trial.

    Emefiele is standing trial on a 19-count charge bordering on receiving gratification and corrupt demand preferred against him by the EFCC.

    His co-defendant, Henry Omoile, is facing a three-count charge bordering on unlawful acceptance of gifts by agents.

  • Court orders final forfeiture of $4.7m, N830m, properties linked to Emefiele

    Court orders final forfeiture of $4.7m, N830m, properties linked to Emefiele

    • Ex-CBN Gov’s legal team denies ownership of properties

    The Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the final forfeiture of $4.7 million, N830 million, and multiple properties linked to former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele.

    But yesterday, Emefiele legal representative distanced the ex-CBN Governor from the forfeited properties.

    Delivering judgment yesterday, Justice Yellim Bogoro granted the forfeiture request filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), represented by counsel Bilkisu Buhari-Bala. This ruling followed the court’s earlier dismissal of an application seeking to halt the judgment.

    The funds, now forfeited to the federal government, were held in First Bank, Titan Bank, and Zenith Bank accounts managed by individuals and entities including Omoile Anita Joy, Deep Blue Energy Service Limited, Exactquote Bureau De Change Ltd, Lipam Investment Services Limited, Tatler Services Limited, Rosajul Global Resources Ltd, and TIL Communication Nigeria Ltd.

    Properties affected by the interim forfeiture include 94 units of an 11-floor building under construction at 2 Otunba Elegushi 2nd Avenue, Ikoyi, Lagos; AM Plaza, an 11-floor office space on Otunba Adedoyin Crescent; Lekki Peninsula Scheme 1, Lagos; Imore Industrial Park 1 on Esa Street, Imoore Land, Amuwo Odofin LGA, Lagos; Mitrewood and Tatler Warehouse (Furniture Plant at Bogije) near Elemoro, Owolomi Village, Ibeju-Lekki LGA, Lagos; and two properties purchased from Chevron Nigeria, located in Lakes Estate, Lekki, Lagos.

    Additional properties include a plot at Lekki Foreshore Estate Scheme, Foreshore Estate, Eti-Osa, LGA; an estate at 100 Cottonwood Coppel Texas Drive, Coppel, Texas, owned by Lipam Investment Services; land at 1 Bunmi Owulude Street, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos; and a property at 8 Bayo Kuku Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.

    Justice Bogoro held that all these properties and funds are proceeds of unlawful activities which are bound to be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

    The judge held: “I find that the activities of the respondents here were unlawful. Why should they have a problem of dollars immediately Godwin Emefiele left CBN as a governor of the bank and salary could not be made?

    “I hold that they are not legitimate business activities.

    “I hold that Anita Omoile is a close crony of the former CBN governor Godwin Emefiele who has been given undue influence to unlawfully sway dollars from CBN.

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    “Consequently, I find that all the monies and properties in the schedule are finally forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.”

    The EFCC through its counsel Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, had cited Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006, and Section 44(2)(b) of the Nigerian Constitution in its application, seeking an interim forfeiture on the grounds that the funds and properties were suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.

    Justice Bogoro, finding merit in the EFCC’s application, ordered the interim forfeiture and mandated the publication of the order in a national newspaper.

    Following the failure of the defendants or anyone else to prove that the funds legitimately belonged to them, the judge then made the interim order permanent.

    Reacting to the judgment yesterday, Emefiele’s legal representatives categorically denied his involvement in the ownership of properties recently forfeited by a Federal High Court in Lagos.

    A statement signed by Olawale Fapohunda, Esq., on behalf of his legal team, clarified that the properties, allegedly linked to Anita Joy Omoile and her companies, including DeepBlue Energy Limited, do not belong to Emefiele or any member of his immediate family.

    The clarification follows reports that Justice Bogoro of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, had granted a final forfeiture order on the properties. However, the legal team pointed out that Justice Aneke, another judge of the same court, had previously discharged an interim forfeiture order on the same assets.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, we categorically disassociate our client from the ownership of the assets in question,” the statement read. “The assets do not belong to our client or any member of his immediate family.”

    The statement further explained that DeepBlue Energy Limited, incorporated in 2009, is owned by a relative of Emefiele but is not linked to him directly.

    Emefiele’s legal team urged the public and stakeholders to refrain from associating the forfeited properties with him, emphasizing that the reports misrepresent the facts.

  • BREAKING: Court orders final forfeiture of $4.7m, N830m, properties linked to Emefiele

    BREAKING: Court orders final forfeiture of $4.7m, N830m, properties linked to Emefiele

    The Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the final forfeiture of $4.7 million, N830 million, and multiple properties linked to former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele.

    Delivering judgment on Friday, Justice Yellim Bogoro granted the forfeiture request filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), represented by counsel Bilkisu Buhari-Bala. This ruling followed the court’s earlier dismissal of an application seeking to halt the judgment.

    The funds, now forfeited to the federal government, were held in First Bank, Titan Bank, and Zenith Bank accounts managed by individuals and entities including Omoile Anita Joy, Deep Blue Energy Service Limited, Exactquote Bureau De Change Ltd, Lipam Investment Services Limited, Tatler Services Limited, Rosajul Global Resources Ltd, and TIL Communication Nigeria Ltd.

    Properties affected by the interim forfeiture include 94 units of an 11-floor building under construction at 2 Otunba Elegushi 2nd Avenue, Ikoyi, Lagos; AM Plaza, an 11-floor office space on Otunba Adedoyin Crescent, Lekki Peninsula Scheme 1, Lagos; Imore Industrial Park 1 on Esa Street, Imoore Land, Amuwo Odofin LGA, Lagos; Mitrewood and Tatler Warehouse (Furniture Plant at Bogije) near Elemoro, Owolomi Village, Ibeju-Lekki LGA, Lagos; and two properties purchased from Chevron Nigeria, located in Lakes Estate, Lekki, Lagos.

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    Additional properties include a plot at Lekki Foreshore Estate Scheme, Foreshore Estate, Eti-Osa, LGA; an estate at 100 Cottonwood Coppel Texas Drive, Coppel, Texas, owned by Lipam Investment Services; land at 1 Bunmi Owulude Street, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos; and a property at 8 Bayo Kuku Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.

    Justice Bogoro held that all these properties and funds are proceeds of unlawful activities which are bound to be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria. 

    The judge held: “I find that the activities of the respondents here were unlawful. Why should they have a problem of dollars immediately Godwin Emefiele left CBN as a governor of the Bank and salary could not be made?

    “I hold that they are not legitimate business activities. 

    “I hold that Anita Omoile is a close crony of the former CBN governor Godwin Emefiele who has been given undue influence to unlawfully sway dollars from CBN. 

    “Consequently, I find that all the monies and properties in the schedule are finally forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.”

    The EFCC through its counsel Rotimi Oyedepo SAN had cited Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006, and Section 44(2)(b) of the Nigerian Constitution in its application, seeking an interim forfeiture on the grounds that the funds and properties were suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.

    Justice Bogoro, finding merit in the EFCC’s application, ordered the interim forfeiture and mandated the publication of the order in a national newspaper. 

    Following the failure of the defendants or anyone else to prove that the funds legitimately belonged to them, the judge then made the interim order permanent.

    Today’s order is another testament to the EFCC’s commendable assets recovery and anti-corruption efforts under its Executive Chairman Mr Ola Olukoyede.

  • Emefiele: ‘CBN’s vehicles purchase contracts followed due process’

    Emefiele: ‘CBN’s vehicles purchase contracts followed due process’

    A prosecution witness in the trial of former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele has said the award of contracts for the purchase of vehicles for which Emefiele is facing tried, followed due process.

    The prosecution witness, Salawu Gana, is a former official of the Procurement Department of the CBN. He was testifying yesterday as the 10th prosecution witness in the case the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) filed against Emefiele.

    The former CBN governor is facing a 20-count amended charge.

    He is accused, among others, of engaging in criminal breach of trust, forgery, conspiracy to obtain by false pretence and obtaining money by false pretence, when he served as the apex bank’s boss.

    The ex-CBN boss is also accused of using his office to confer unfair and corrupt advantage on two companies – April 1616 Nigeria Limited and Architekon Nigeria Limited.

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    Gana said April 1616 was awarded the contracts after going through the biding and evaluation process.

    The prosecution witness, who was being cross-examined by Emefiele’s lawyer, Matthew Burkaa (SAN), said the reason for awarding the contracts (45 in all) to April 1616 was because its bid was the lowest.

    Burkaa handed the witness some documents on the contracts marked as F1 to F45, the witness went through then, saying there was nowhere in the documents where his team was instructed to favour April 1616 in the award of the contract.

    The witness confirmed that the documents contained the approval of Emefiele, but explained that the ex-CBN boss acted last in the line of approvals.

    When asked to look at the documents again, Gana said a minimum of five officers endorsed the contract documents, adding that Emefiele’s was the last, which came after the recommendations of four subordinate officers.

  • Emefiele: CBN’s vehicles purchase contracts followed due process – EFCC’s witness

    Emefiele: CBN’s vehicles purchase contracts followed due process – EFCC’s witness

    A prosecution witness in the trial of former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele said on Monday, that the award of contracts for the purchase of vehicles, in respect of which Emefiele was being tried, followed due process.

    Salawu Gana, a former official of the Procurement Department of the CBN spoke while featuring as the 10th prosecution witness in the case

    Emeifele is being prosecuted by the Economic and financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a 20-count amended charge, marked: FCT/HC/CR/577/2023.

    He is accused, among others of engaging in criminal breach of trust, forgery, conspiracy to obtain by false pretence and obtaining money by false pretence, when he served as the apex bank’s boss.

    The ex-CBN boss is equally accused of using his office to confer unfair and corrupt advantage on two companies –  April 1616 Nigeria Ltd and Architekon Nigeria Ltd.

    Gana, while answering questions on Monday, said April 1616 was awarded the contracts after going through the biding and evaluation process.

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    Gana, who was being cross-examined by Emefiele’s lawyer, Matthew Burkaa (SAN), said the reason for awarding the contracts (45 in all)  to April 1616 was because its bid was the lowest.

    Burkaa then handed the witness documents relating to the contracts and upon looking through the documents marked F1 to F45, the witness said he said there was no where in the documents where his team was instructed process the contract to favour April 1616.

    The witness confirmed that the documents contained the approval of Emefiele, but explained that the ex-CBN boss acted last in the line of approvals.

    When asked to look at the documents again, the witness said   a minimum of five officers endorsed the contract documents, but that Emefiele’s was the last, which came after the recommendations of the four subordinate officers.

    On why April 1616 was paid, the witness, who is said to have been dismissed from the CBN,  said the approval for payment was  given after the company had supplied the vehicles.

    He added: “Having supplied the vehicles, the firm was entitled to be paid. All awards that are supplied are to be paid,” he said, adding that “the defendant (Emefiele) did the right thing by approving payment.

    On why April 1616 got 45 contracts, the witness said it is not uncommon for a company to get contracts in the CBN multiple times within three to four years.

    He also told the court that he is aware that the defendant is not a director or a shareholder in or a signatory to the account of April1616.

    Gana said he has no knowledge of any document that showed that funds were paid into the defendant’s account from April 1616.

    Emefiele has however, applied to the court for among others, an order prohibiting the EFCC from calling additional witnesses after the 10 witnesses listed on the proof of evidence have already testified. 

    While moving the application for n Monday, Burkaa argued that the prosecution had tendered all necessary documents relating to the alleged offence of procurement fraud.

    He added that permitting the prosecution to invite additional witnesses will amount to over indulgence.

    Prosecuting lawyer, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), opposed the application on the grounds that the prosecution’s right to fair hearing will be violently breached. 

    Oyedepo prayed the court to reject the application in the interest of justice.

    Trial judge, Justice Hamza Muazu adjourned till March 20 for ruling.

  • Aleged $4.5b, N2.8b fraud: Court dismisses Emefiele’s application on jurisdiction

    Aleged $4.5b, N2.8b fraud: Court dismisses Emefiele’s application on jurisdiction

    Justice Rahman Oshodi of an Ikeja Special Offences Court has dismissed an application filed by former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele, challenging the jurisdiction of the court to try him for alleged abuse of office to the tune of $4.5 billion and N2.8 billion.

    In his ruling yesterday, Justice Oshodi held that the court has jurisdiction to try Emefiele for the charge.

    The judge also held that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had established a territorial jurisdiction of the court on counts eight to 26 with facts in the proof of evidence attached to the case file.

    But the court struck out counts one to four of the charge, which bothered on abuse of office.

    The trial judge held that allocation of foreign exchange without bid, which was the subject of counts one to four, was not punishable under law.

    Justice Oshodi said: “Allocation of foreign exchange without reason is not defined as an offence in any written law.

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    “The objection to counts one to four succeeds and is hereby struck out.”

    The judge held that the defendant’s objection challenging the court’s territorial jurisdiction over count eight to 26 failed and consequently dismissed it.

    He said the case should proceed to trial and adjourned till February 24 and 26 for continuation of trial.

    Emefiele is facing a 26-count charge bordering on misusing of his office, resulting in a loss of $4.5 billion and N2.8 billion.

    His co-defendant, Henry Omoile, is standing trial for related charges, including an unlawful acceptance of gifts.

    During the court’s last sitting over the case in December, Emefiele’s counsel, Olalekan Ojo, had argued that the court lacked jurisdiction to hear the case in Lagos.

    The defence lawyer claimed that the alleged offences, including abuse of office, fell outside the jurisdiction of the Lagos Special Offences Court.

    He contended that the charges violated Section 36(12) of the Nigerian Constitution, asserting that the offences Emefiele allegedly committed were not legally recognised.

    Ojo averred that since the Lagos State House of Assembly does not have legislative authority over matters on the Exclusive Legislative List, Section 73 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011, under which counts one to four were filed, could not apply extraterritorially to any alleged abuse of office by Emefiele.

    According to him, a court’s territorial jurisdiction refers to the geographical area within which its authority can be exercised.

    Ojo said the court could not act outside of this legal premise.

    The defence lawyer prayed the court to strike out counts one to four of the 18 amended count charge the EFCC filed on April 4, last year, on the basis that the alleged offences took place outside the court’s jurisdiction.

    Lawyer to the EFCC, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), had told court that it had the authority to hear the case.

    The prosecution lawyer asserted that the subject matter of the charges clearly fell within the court’s jurisdiction since the offences were committed within its territorial reach.

    He added that the alleged crimes were economic and financial in nature, which fell within the EFCC’s jurisdiction.

    According to him, there was substantial evidence supporting Lagos as the appropriate venue for the trial.

    Oyedepo argued that evidence and witnesses’ testimonies pointed to Lagos as the proper location for the trial and that the objections raised by Emefiele’s legal team were not supported by the facts or evidence.

  • BREAKING: Court dismisses Emefiele’s plea challenging jurisdiction in $4.5bn, N2.8bn abuse of office case

    BREAKING: Court dismisses Emefiele’s plea challenging jurisdiction in $4.5bn, N2.8bn abuse of office case

    Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Ikeja Special Offences Court has dismissed an application of the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, challenging the jurisdiction of the court on charges of abuse of office to the tune of $4.5 billion and N2.8 billion.

    Justice Oshodi, in his ruling yesterday, held that the court has jurisdiction to try Emefiele on the charge. 

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    Justice Oshodi also held that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had established a territorial jurisdiction of the court on counts eight to 26 with facts in the proof of evidence attached to the case file. 

    The court, however, struck out counts one to four of the charge which bothered on abuse of office.

  • Jurisdiction: Emefiele gets January 7 date

    Jurisdiction: Emefiele gets January 7 date

    Justice Rahman Oshodi of an Ikeja Special Offences Court has fixed January 7 to rule on an application filed by former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele challenging the court’s jurisdiction to try him for alleged abuse of office.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) filed a 26-count charge against the former CBN governor over alleged $4.5 billion and N2.8 billion fraud.His co-defendant, Henry Omoile, is also on trial for related charges, including the unlawful acceptance of gifts.

    Read Also: Alleged abuse of office: Emefiele challenges Lagos court’s jurisdiction to try him

    During yesterday’s proceedings, Emefiele’s counsel, Olalekan Ojo (SAN), argued that the court lacked jurisdiction to hear the case in Lagos.

    But EFCC counsel Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN) maintained that the court had the authority to hear the case.

  • Emefiele knows fate January 7 on court’s jurisdiction 

    Emefiele knows fate January 7 on court’s jurisdiction 

    Justice Rahman Oshodi of an Ikeja Special Offences Court has fixed  January 7, 2025, to rule on an application filed by former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele

    challenging court’s jurisdiction over his case.

    Emefiele is facing a 26-count charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    He is accused of abuse of office to the tune of $4.5 billion and N2.8 billion. 

    His co-defendant, Henry Omoile, is also on trial for related charges, including the unlawful acceptance of gifts.

    During yesterday’s proceedings, Emefiele’s counsel, Olalekan Ojo (SAN), argued that the court lacked jurisdiction to hear the case in Lagos. 

    He contended that the alleged offences, including abuse of office, fell outside the territorial reach of the Ikeja Special Offences Court.

     Ojo further argued that the charges violated Section 36(12) of the Constitution, asserting that the actions Emefiele is accused of were not legally recognized offences.

    Ojo emphasized that since the Lagos State House of Assembly does not have legislative authority over matters on the Exclusive Legislative List, Section 73 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011 under which Counts 1 to 4 were filed, cannot apply extra-territorially to any alleged abuse of office by Emefiele. 

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    He argued that a court’s territorial jurisdiction refers to the geographical area within which its authority can be exercised.

    He said the court cannot act  outside of this area.

    Ojo also urged the court to strike out counts 1 to 4 of the 18 amended information filed on April 4, 2024, on the grounds that the offences occurred outside the court’s jurisdiction.

    In response, EFCC counsel Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN) maintained that the court had the authority to hear the case. 

    He argued that the alleged crimes were economic and financial in nature, within the EFCC’s jurisdiction, and that evidence supported Lagos as the appropriate venue for the trial.

    Oyedepo further asserted that the subject matter of the charges fell squarely within the court’s jurisdiction, as the offences were committed within the court’s territorial reach.

     He contended  that the evidence and witness testimonies pointed to Lagos as the proper location for the trial .

    He said that the objections raised by Emefiele’s legal team were not substantiated by  facts or evidence.

    Justice Oshodi adjourned the matter for ruling on  January 7, 2025.