Alleged abuse of office: Emefiele challenges court’s jurisdiction

The suspended Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele on Monday challenged  the jurisdiction of an Ikeja Special Offences Court to hear the alleged abuse of office and multi billion dollars fraud leveled  against  him.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mr Olalekan Ojo, SAN, who led other  counsel, appeared for Emefiele while Mr Kazeem Gbadamosi, SAN, appeared for the former CBN governor co-defendant, Henry  Isioma-Omoil.

Ojo in his motion on notice dated April  24 argued that the court lacked  the constitutional jurisprudence to hear the charge  against Emefiele.

He said: ”there is need to consider  jurisdictional  objection  before allowing this case.

“This defendant ought not to be arraigned before this court on constitutional grounds.

“We are saying  that charges against the first  defendant is unconstitutional.

“I urge your lordship  to toe the part of legality and constitutionality to determine this application.”

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) counsel led by Mr Rotimi Oyedepo ,SAN, however, urged the court to dismiss the application of  the first defendant counsel, as it was a course to delay justice.

Oyedepo said that the  approach was intended to take up from where the prosecution was coming from.

According to him, a collective resolution as a nation is to prevent undue delay in criminal matters.

 “Your lordship, trial has commenced and witnesses have been assembled in court today to give evidence.

“The application of the first  defendant is unconstitutional as this is a means to draw us backward.

“I humbly  urge  the court  to discountenance the submission of defence on jurisdiction and allow  the trial to continue,” Oyedepo said.

Justice Rahman Oshodi, rejected Emefiele’s request to discontinue hearing.

Oshodi deferred ruling on the  preliminary objection to final judgment stage.

According to the judge, when the embattled former CBN governor was a arraigned on April 8, the prosecution informed the court of an accelerated hearing in which the defense did not object.

NAN reports that as at the time of filing this report, the court has ordered the prosecution to call its next witness.

Details  shortly. (NAN)

By Adenike Ayodele