Court fixes January 7 to rule on Emefiele’s application

Special Offences Court has fixed January 7 to rule on an application filed by former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele challenging the court’s jurisdiction to try him for alleged abuse of office.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) filed a 26-count charge against the former CBN governor over alleged $4.5 billion and N2.8 billion fraud.His co-defendant, Henry Omoile, is also on trial for related charges, including the unlawful acceptance of gifts.

During Monday proceedings, Emefiele’s counsel, Olalekan Ojo (SAN), argued that the court lacked jurisdiction to hear the case in Lagos.

But EFCC counsel Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN) maintained that the court had the authority to hear the case.