An Ikeja Special Offences Court has adjourned proceedings to December 12, 2024, to hear the application filed by former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, challenging the court’s jurisdiction to hear the charges against him.
Emefiele is standing trial for alleged abuse of office and involvement in fraudulent activities totaling $4.5 billion and ₦2.8 billion.
His co-defendant, Henry Omoile, faces a three-count charge of unlawful acceptance of gifts as an agent.
During Tuesday’s session, the prosecution, led by EFCC Counsel Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), informed the court of a recent ruling by the Court of Appeal. The appellate court directed the lower court to address Emefiele’s jurisdictional application before proceeding with the trial.
Emefiele’s Counsel, Olalekan Ojo (SAN), confirmed receipt of the ruling electronically and stated plans to file a notification with the court.
Ojo, however, said he was surprised that the prosecution was tendering a Certified True Copy of the ruling from the bar.
He urged the court to set down the hearing of the application until next adjourned date, to enable the defence move its application.
Oyedepo, however, countered the defendant’s submission and argued that all parties should comply with the directives of the Appellate Court.
Justice Rahman Oshodi, however, adjourned the case until Dec. 12 for hearing of the application.
NAN reports that Emefiele’s counsel had argued that the charge against Emefiele, raised issues of constitutionality and legality.
He argued that counts one to four of the 26-count charge were unconstitutional as they were not contained in any law in Nigeria.
He, thereafter, urged the court to strike out counts one to four, on the ground that the court had no jurisdiction to try the offence of abuse of office in relation to the office of CBN governor.
According to him, his client’s acts, said to constitute arbitrary acts resulting in abuse of office, were not offences known to the law as mandatorily required by Section 36(12) of 1999 Constitution, as amended
NAN also reports that on the last proceeding, the EFCC’s witness, a former personal assistant to Emefiele, had narrated to the court how he allegedly collected the sum of $400,000 on behalf of the ex-governor.
(NAN)
