Godwin Emefiele, the suspended Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, has challenged the jurisdiction of an Ikeja Special Offences Court to hear the alleged abuse of office and multi-billion dollar fraud charges against him. Emefiele, represented by Mr. Olalekan Ojo, SAN, argued that the court lacked constitutional jurisdiction to hear the case.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) counsel, led by Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, urged the court to dismiss Emefiele's application, describing it as a ploy to delay justice. Oyedepo emphasized the need to prevent undue delays in criminal matters and urged the court to continue with the trial.
Justice Rahman Oshodi rejected Emefiele's request to discontinue the hearing and deferred ruling on the preliminary objection to the final judgment stage. The court has ordered the prosecution to call its next witness as the trial continues.
Emefiele and his co-defendant, Henry Isioma-Omoil, are facing charges of abuse of office and multi-billion dollar fraud. The case has been ongoing, with the defense and prosecution presenting their arguments before the court.
