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Court Dismisses Emefiele’s Application Challenging Jurisdiction in $4.5bn Fraud Case

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Court Dismisses Emefiele's Application Challenging Jurisdiction in $4.5bn Fraud Case

Court Dismisses Emefiele’s Application Challenging Jurisdiction in $4.5bn Fraud Case

 

The Lagos State Special Offences Court has dismissed an application filed by the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, challenging the court’s jurisdiction to hear the $4.5 billion and ₦2.8 billion fraud charges brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Delivering the ruling on Wednesday, Justice Rahman Oshodi affirmed the court’s jurisdiction to try Emefiele and his co-defendant, Henry Omoile. However, the judge struck out four of the 26 charges filed by the EFCC, citing a lack of jurisdiction over those counts.

Court Ruling

Justice Oshodi clarified the decision, stating:
“Allocation of foreign exchange without reason is not defined as an offence under any written law. The objection to counts one to four succeeds and is hereby struck out.”

Regarding the remaining counts, the judge ruled that the court had sufficient jurisdiction to proceed.
“The objection challenging the court’s territorial jurisdiction over counts eight to 26 fails and is hereby dismissed. The prosecution has established sufficient territorial nexus in this case,” he said.

The trial was subsequently adjourned to February 24 and 26, 2025, for continuation.

Background of the Case

The EFCC arraigned Emefiele on 26 charges, including abuse of office and illegal allocation of $4.5 billion and ₦2.8 billion. The allegations center on economic and financial crimes, which the EFCC asserts fall squarely within its jurisdiction.

At the last court hearing on December 12, 2024, Emefiele’s counsel, Mr. Olalekan Ojo (SAN), had argued that the Lagos Special Offences Court lacked jurisdiction to hear the case. He contended that the alleged offences were not recognized under Nigerian law and fell outside the territorial reach of the court.

Ojo further argued that the Lagos State House of Assembly does not have legislative authority over matters on the Exclusive Legislative List. As a result, Section 73 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State (2011), under which counts one to four were filed, could not be applied extraterritorially to the alleged offences committed by Emefiele.

EFCC’s Counterarguments

In response, EFCC counsel, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), maintained that the court had jurisdiction, emphasizing that the charges involved economic and financial crimes within Lagos State.

Oyedepo argued that evidence and witness testimonies indicated that the alleged offences occurred within Lagos, making it the appropriate venue for the trial. He further dismissed the objections raised by Emefiele’s legal team as lacking factual or evidential merit.

Timeline and Adjournments

The ruling on the jurisdictional challenge was initially scheduled for January 7, 2025, but was delayed until January 8, 2025. With the jurisdictional issue now resolved, the court has set the trial for continuation in late February.

Implications

The court’s decision marks a significant development in the high-profile case, paving the way for substantive hearings on the remaining charges. The EFCC’s prosecution team has expressed readiness to proceed, while Emefiele’s defense is expected to continue its legal battle.

The trial is closely watched, as it involves one of the most influential figures in Nigeria’s financial sector, with far-reaching implications for accountability and governance in the country.

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Dr Chris Okafor’s Prophetic Warning Precedes Gas Explosion in Agege Lagos

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Dr Chris Okafor’s Prophetic Warning Precedes Gas Explosion in Agege Lagos

 

 

Barely four days after the Generational Prophet and Senior Pastor of Grace Nation Global, Dr Chris Okafor, warned about a possible gas explosion, an incident involving a gas explosion reportedly occurred around the Ile-Zik Junction Agege motor road, Lagos, on Monday.

 

According to reports, no casualty was recorded from the incident, a development many members of Grace Nation attributed to prayers offered following the prophetic warning issued during the church’s midweek Prophetic, Healing, Deliverance and Solutions (PHDS) service held at the international headquarters of Grace Nation Worldwide in Ojodu Berger, Lagos.

 

During the service, Dr Okafor had cautioned Nigerians, particularly those involved in gas-related businesses, to pray and remain vigilant after disclosing that he foresaw a gas explosion affecting a business environment and nearby properties.

 

Church members described the incident as evidence of the importance of early warning, prayer, and preventive action.

 

They maintained that intercessory prayers helped avert what could have resulted in a major tragedy.

 

The cleric had earlier emphasized that divine revelations are often given to enable people pray and take precautionary measures before disasters occur.

 

He urged business owners and residents to continue observing safety standards while seeking God’s protection.

 

The incident around the Ile-Zik in Agege motor road has since renewed conversations among worshippers about the role of prayer, vigilance, and public safety awareness in preventing disasters.

 

Dr Chris Okafor’s Prophetic Warning Precedes Gas Explosion in Agege Lagos

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Governor Dauda Lawal Hails Troops for Successful Fight against Banditry, Terrorism across Zamfara State

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Governor Dauda Lawal Hails Troops for Successful Fight against Banditry, Terrorism across Zamfara State

 

Governor Dauda Lawal has commended the troops of the Joint Task Force (North West) Operation Fansan Yamma for achieving significant operational successes against bandits in Zamfara State. The troops of the Joint Task Force launched an elaborate and coordinated onslaught in the early hours of Thursday, May 7, 2026, in the Kaura Namoda and Birnin Magaji Local Government Areas of Zamfara State. Following the encounter, troops effectively neutralised three gang leaders and recovered a cache of weapons and ammunition, which included an AK-47 rifle, a machine gun, a locally fabricated handgun, seven rifle magazines and a total of 571 rounds of ammunition.

 

Governor Lawal described the renewed military offensive as timely, particularly due to the successful operation recorded on May 10, 2026, which disrupted a significant gathering of notorious terrorist leaders and neutralised several commanders. The troops acted on an intelligence report that confirmed that the terrorists had converged at a concealed location in Tumfa Village, Shinkafi Local Government Area, with the intention to coordinate attacks and criminal activities targeting innocent communities in the state. The Air Component launched a precision airstrike on the identified terrorist hideout that successfully destroyed the structure, which served as the terrorists’ meeting point. The governor further reiterates Zamfara State Government’s commitment to ongoing support and logistics for the military and other security agencies operating in the state.

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Old Students Association rejects alleged commercialisation of Unity School land ‎

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Old Students Association rejects alleged commercialisation of Unity School land



‎By Ifeoma Ikem



‎The Unity Schools Old Students Association (USOSA) has rejected the alleged commercialisation of any unity schools land under the Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) initiative.

‎The association made its displeasure known during their awareness walk to protest the concession of the 33 hectares of land belonging to Federal Government College (FGC) Kano yesterday in Lagos.

‎The members were carrying placards, some of which read “PPP: Save the Future”, “Protect Unity Schools”, “PPP must serve Education not land conversion” and “Schools are not for Real Estate”.

‎President-General of the Unity Schools Old Students Association USOSA Michael Magaji says Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) was designed to improve public institutions, and not strip them of assets or reduce their land.

‎Over 60 Unity schools members were drawn from across the nation for the awareness walk to protest against the alleged sale of the school lands.

‎ The P-G said the association was advocating for a sustainable funding model that would preserve educational assets while improving infrastructure, manpower and learning conditions.

‎“Our coming together is to restore the lost glory of Unity Schools and strengthen Nigeria’s education system. Unity schools are nation-building institutions that have produced leaders across various sectors.

‎ “Unity Schools were not just about education, they were about integration built not by spectators but by active citizens that believe in one nation.

‎ “ The alumni support PPP but oppose the sale of educational assets. Unity never happens by chance but designed, nurtured and protected,’’ he added.

‎He added that the awareness walk brought about by the alumni across the nation was also to have a stronger network to revive the vision of the Unity Schools.

‎Mr Humphrey Nwafor, Lagos Chapter President, Federal Government College, Kano Old Students Association said that they are pushing back against the alleged commercialisation of Unity School lands.

‎Nwafor pointed out that the 33 hectares of land belonging to FGC Kano was concessioned without adequate consultation with stakeholders.

‎“We are saying there is a better option. Instead of selling our lands and assets, we would rather fund the schools ourselves.

‎“If the government says it does not have enough money to run the schools, the old students can provide support without taking one inch of the land,” he said.

‎According to him, the concession arrangement involving the school’s land will undermine the future of unity schools, which were established in the first place to promote national integration.

‎“These schools were established to unite Nigerians from different ethnic and religious backgrounds and we are appealing to President Bola Tinubu to intervene and ensure that public educational assets are protected,” he added.

‎He called on the Federal Government to leverage alumni networks in addressing funding challenges confronting unity schools.

‎“We are in solution mode and impact mode and we believe alumni associations should be integrated into the process of repositioning these schools.

‎“We recently met with officials of the Federal Ministry of Education and discussions are ongoing toward finding mutually beneficial solutions,” he said.

‎Mr Alex Akindumila, President of FGC Idoani Alumni Association said the concession controversy was a national test of how public assets and educational institutions are being managed.

‎He said that they are concerned that reducing lands allocated to unity schools could limit future expansion, agricultural projects, sports facilities, technical workshops and staff accommodation.

‎“The lands allocated to unity schools were deliberate and visionary.“They were designed to ensure that the schools remain self-sustaining and adaptable to future needs.

‎According to him, when you shrink the land of a unity school, you do not just reduce space, but reduce possibility , reduce ability to run agricultural programs that can feed students and teach enterprise, even the space required for sports facilities that build discipline, health and national pride.

‎Also, Mrs Ifeoma Okeke, an alumna of FGC Nsukka, called for transparency, due process and stakeholder engagement in any PPP arrangement involving educational institutions.

‎She said PPP agreements should align with the public purpose of the schools and not diminish their long-term capacity.

‎“There must be transparency, competitiveness and proper stakeholder engagement in any concession process involving public educational assets,” she said.

 

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