Court Takes Jurisdiction To Hear Charges Against Godwin Emefiele

The Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja has confirmed it will hear charges against former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele.

The charges are regarding allegations of accepting bribes, making corrupt demands, and receiving fraudulently obtained property.

On Wednesday, Justice Rahman Oshodi ruled that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had proven the court’s jurisdiction over counts 8 to 20 of the 26 charges against Emefiele, based on the evidence provided.

However, the court agreed with Emefiele’s legal team that counts 1 to 4, which relate to general abuse of office, were unconstitutional because they do not reference any existing Nigerian laws.

Godwin Emefiele was arraigned by the EFCC on April 8, 2024, on charges involving alleged misuse of office and the improper allocation of $4.5 billion and N2.8 billion.

The charges included accusations of abuse of office, accepting bribes, corrupt demands, receiving stolen property, and conferring corrupt advantages.

Counts 1 to 4 dealt with general abuse of office, particularly the improper allocation of foreign exchange without a proper bidding process, but the court ruled these were not specific criminal offenses under current law, leading to their dismissal.

However, for counts 8 to 26, Justice Oshodi stated the evidence was enough to confirm the court’s jurisdiction over the case.

The ruling only addresses the jurisdictional challenge and not the substance of the charges.

The court dismissed the objection to its jurisdiction over counts 8 to 26, allowing the trial to proceed.

The case will continue on February 24 and 26.

KanyiDaily recalls that Godwin Emefiele was recently identified as the owner of an Abuja estate containing 753 duplexes, which was forfeited to the Nigerian government following a court ruling.