The Lagos Condition Particular Offences Court docket in Ikeja has poised January 7, 2025, to come to a decision at the objection raised by means of former Central Deposit of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele, in regards to the $4.5bn and N2.8bn fraud fees introduced towards him by means of the Financial and Monetary Crimes Fee.
Emefiele, together with his co-defendant, Henry Omoile, is going through 26 counts filed by means of the EFCC prior to Justice Rahman Oshodi.
At Thursday’s listening to, Emefiele’s attorney, Olalekan Ojo (SAN), argued that the court docket lacked territorial jurisdiction to listen to the case in Lagos.
He contended that the alleged offences, together with abuse of place of business, have been dedicated out of doors the jurisdiction of the Ikeja Particular Offences Court docket.
Ojo maintained that the costs violated Division 36(12) of the Nigerian Charter, announcing that the alleged movements weren’t legally recognised offences.
He additional argued that the Lagos Condition Area of Meeting does now not have legislative authority over issues at the Unique Legislative Listing, making Division 73 of the Felony Legislation of Lagos Condition 2011 inapplicable to the case.
He instructed the court docket to clash out counts one to 4 of the amended rate sheet filed on April 4, 2024, because the alleged offences happened out of doors the court docket’s jurisdiction.
In reaction, EFCC recommend, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), defended the court docket’s authority to preside over the case.
He argued that the costs have been financial and monetary crimes throughout the EFCC’s jurisdiction and that proof supported Lagos as the correct venue for the trial.
Oyedepo said that the offences have been dedicated throughout the court docket’s territorial succeed in, with proof and eyewitness testimonies confirming Lagos as the suitable location for the court cases. He maintained that the defence’s objections lacked factual and evidentiary backup.
Later listening to arguments from either side, Justice Oshodi adjourned the case to January 7, 2025, for a ruling at the objection.