Emefiele Fails to Block $4.5bn, N2.8bn Fraud Case

On Wednesday, the Lagos State Special Offences Court dismissed an application filed by former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele, challenging the court’s jurisdiction to hear the $4.5 billion and N2.8 billion fraud charges brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

In his ruling, Justice Rahman Oshodi affirmed that the court had the jurisdiction to try Emefiele and his co-defendant, Henry Omoile.

However, the judge struck out four of the 26 counts filed by the EFCC against the defendants due to lack of jurisdiction.

“The objection challenging the court’s territorial jurisdiction over counts eight to 26 fails and is hereby dismissed.

“The prosecution has established sufficient territorial nexus in this case,” the court held.

The judge adjourned the case for trial continuation on February 24, 2025.

The EFCC had charged Emefiele with 26 counts related to abuse of office and the illegal allocation of $4.5 billion and N2.8 billion.

At the previous adjourned hearing on December 12, 2024, Emefiele’s counsel, Mr. Olalekan Ojo (SAN), argued that the court lacked jurisdiction to hear the case in Lagos.

Emefiele, who was suspended as CBN governor on June 14, 2023, by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government, remains embroiled in the legal proceedings.