The Ikeja Special Offences Court has ruled against an application by Godwin Emefiele, former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), challenging its jurisdiction in a case involving allegations of abuse of office amounting to $4.5 billion and N2.8 billion.
Justice Rahman Oshodi, delivering the ruling, affirmed the court’s authority to proceed with the trial on the majority of the charges filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The EFCC had argued that the court had the territorial jurisdiction to hear the case, particularly on counts eight to 26.
The judge, after reviewing the proof of evidence submitted by the prosecution, upheld the validity of these counts, stating that they fell within the court’s jurisdiction.
However, the court struck out counts one to four, which were also tied to allegations of abuse of office. The details of these dismissed counts were not disclosed in the ruling.
This development marks a significant step in the legal proceedings against the former apex bank governor, who is facing intense scrutiny over his tenure at the CBN. The case will now proceed with the remaining charges.
