The Lagos Special Offences Court, Ikeja, has adjourned till December 12 for hearing of an application filed by the ex-Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, challenging its jurisdiction to adjudicate in his alleged criminal case.
Emefiele had filed an application at the Appeal Court, Lagos, to challenge the jurisdiction of the lower court to hear the alleged abuse of office charge filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The commission arraigned the ex-CBN governor for alleged abuse of office and $4.5 billion and N2.8 billion fraud.
His co-defendant, Henry Omoile, is facing a three-count charge of unlawful acceptance of gifts by agents.
When the case was called on Tuesday for the continuation of cross-examination of the seventh prosecution witness, the EFCC counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), informed the court that the appellate court had on November 29 delivered a ruling regarding Emefiele’s application.
According to him, the appeal court directed the lower court to hear and determine the application before continuing with the trial.
Emefiele’s counsel, Olalekan Ojo (SAN), told the court that they received the ruling electronically and intended to file a notification to the court.
Ojo, however, said he was surprised that the prosecution was tendering a Certified True Copy of the ruling from the bar.
He urged the court to set down the hearing of the application till the next adjourned date to enable the defence to move its application.
Oyedepo, however, countered the defendant’s submission and argued that all parties should comply with the appeal court directives.
Justice Rahman Oshodi adjourned the case till December 12 for hearing of the application.