Court Takes Charge: Emefiele Faces Corruption Trial As Four Charges Are Struck Out!

The Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja has asserted jurisdiction to hear corruption charges against former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, involving allegations of gratification, corrupt demands, and fraudulent receipt of property.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

In a ruling delivered on Wednesday, Justice Rahman Oshodi determined that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had successfully established the court’s territorial jurisdiction over counts 8 to 20 of the 26-count charge against Emefiele.

However, the court struck out counts 1 to 4, deeming them unconstitutional as they were not grounded in any existing Nigerian law.

Emefiele, who was arraigned by the EFCC on April 8, 2024, faces a 26-count charge that includes allegations of abuse of office and the irregular allocation of $4.5 billion and ₦2.8 billion. The charges also cite violations of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011 and the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000.

Justice Oshodi explained that counts 1 to 4, which involve allegations of abuse of office related to foreign exchange allocations without bids, do not constitute offences under any written Nigerian law and were therefore struck out.

Regarding counts 8 to 26, the judge noted that the EFCC had presented sufficient evidence to establish a territorial connection, enabling the court to assert jurisdiction.

“The prosecution has established a sufficient territorial nexus to compel Emefiele to answer the charges,” Justice Oshodi ruled, rejecting objections raised by Emefiele’s legal team.

The judge emphasized that his ruling was limited to the issue of jurisdiction and did not delve into the substance of the allegations.