General
Emefiele Loses Suit to Challenge Court’s Jurisdiction
By Adedapo Adesanya
An Ikeja Special Offences Court on Wednesday dismissed the application filed by the embattled ex-Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Godwin Emefiele, challenging the jurisdiction of the court to hear his case.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had filed a 26-count charge against Mr Emefiele for alleged misuse of office, resulting in losses of $4.5 billion and N2.8 billion.
His co-defendant, Mr Henry Omoile, is standing trial on related offences, including unlawful acceptance of gifts from the former CBN chief.
Justice Rahman Oshodi, in his ruling today, held that the court had jurisdiction to try Mr Emefiele on the charge, citing relevant authorities.
He, therefore, dismissed Emefiele’s application and held that EFCC had established a territorial jurisdiction on counts eight to 26, with various facts in the proof of evidence attached to the case file.
The court, however, struck out counts one to four of the charge which bothered on abuse of office, saying the allocation of foreign exchange without bid, which was the subject of counts one to four was not punishable under the law.
“Allocation of foreign exchange without reason is not defined as an offence in any written law.
“The objection to counts one to four succeeds and is hereby struck out.
“The objection challenging the court’s territorial jurisdiction over count eight to 26 fails, and is hereby dismissed.
“The prosecution has established sufficient territorial nexus in this case,” the judge said.
The judge, thereafter, held that the case should proceed to trial and adjourned until February 24 for continuation of trial.
Mr Emefiele’s Counsel, Mr Olalekan Ojo (SAN), had on December 12 2024, argued that the court lacked jurisdiction to hear the case in Lagos.
Mr Ojo contended that the alleged offences, including abuse of office, fell outside the territorial reach of the court.
He said the charge violated Section 36(12) of the Constitution, and asserted that the actions Emefiele was accused of, were not legally recognised offences.
He stated that the Lagos State House of Assembly did not have legislative authority over matters on the Exclusive Legislative List.
Mr Ojo, therefore, said Section 73 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011, under which counts one to four were filed, could not apply extra-territorially to any alleged abuse of office by Emefiele.
The learned silk argued that a court’s territorial jurisdiction referred to the geographical area within which its authority could be exercised.
According to him, outside of that territorial jurisdiction, the court can not act.
He urged the court to strike out counts one to four of the 18 amended information filed on April 4, 2024, on the grounds that the offences occurred outside the court’s jurisdiction.
The EFCC Counsel, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), in his counter affidavits, had argued that the court had the authority to hear the case.
Mr Oyedepo argued that the alleged offences were economic and financial in nature, therefore, within the jurisdiction of EFCC.
He also added that the evidence in support of the facts, proved Lagos as the appropriate venue for the trial.
Mr Oyedepo further submitted that the subject matter of the charge fell squarely within the court’s jurisdiction, as the offences were committed within the court’s territorial reach.
He argued that the evidence and witness testimonies pointed to Lagos as the proper location for the trial, adding that the objections raised by Mr Emefiele’s legal team were not substantiated by facts or evidence.
By Bon Peters
The Airport Chapter of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) at Omagwa Rivers State has praised the Customs Area Controller for Customs Area 1 Command, Comptroller Salamatu Atuluku.
At the end-of-the-year party attended by stakeholders, including the leader of the association’s chapter, Mr Charles Onyema, said the customs officer has done well in stakeholder engagement and trade facilitation.
At the event held last Friday, he said his association has been enjoying a very cordial relationship with other organisation in the ecosystem.
“You can see what is happening today, everybody is working together and our operations here are seamless,” he noted.
He stated that apart from creating a very robust business environment for his members and other stakeholders to operate, he has taken a decision to build and commission a befitting ANLCA Secretariat which would be completed soon and be commissioned by the ANLCA national president, Mr Emenike Nwokeoji.
The ANLCA chapter chief said since “Comptroller Salamatu Atuluku assumed office at Customs Area 1, Port Harcourt Command, it has been a different ball game, facilitating trade and increasing Revenue generation.”
“I remember I told her she was a mother during her maiden visit to the airport.
“You know when you have a woman in charge of an affair, food will not lack, compassion will not lack and motherly love will not lack.
“She is very wonderful in stakeholder engagement, revenue generation and trade facilitation,” Mr Onyema enthused.
Projecting into the future, Mr. Onyema said the year 2026 would be better for his members, adding that he has advised them on financial discipline which he said would help them during the trying period.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The federal government has declared Thursday, December 25, and Friday, December 26, 2025, as public holidays to mark Christmas and Boxing Day respectively.
The government also declared Thursday, January 1, 2026, for the New Year celebration.
The declaration was contained in a statement issued on Monday by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Mrs Magdalene Ajani, on behalf of the Minister of Interior, Mr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
According to the statement, the Minister urged Nigerians to reflect on the values of love, peace, humility and sacrifice associated with the birth of Jesus Christ.
Mr Tunji-Ojo also called on citizens, irrespective of faith or ethnicity, to use the festive season to pray for peace, improved security and national progress.
He further advised Nigerians to remain law-abiding and security-conscious during the celebrations, while wishing them a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
Business Post reports that on these public holidays – the foreign exchange market, the Nigerian Exchange (NGX), as well as the NASD Over-the-Counter (OTC) Securities Exchange will not open to trade.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Local crude oil refiner, Dangote Petroleum Refinery, has kicked against attempts to put consumers of premium motor spirit (PMS), otherwise known as petrol, under untold hardship in the country.
The company, which commenced nationwide sales of the product at a pump price of N739 per litre across all MRS Oil Nigeria Plc filling stations, appealed to Nigerians to report any of its marketers who sell above this price.
“Any attempt to create artificial scarcity or manipulate supply to frustrate recent price reductions is unpatriotic and unacceptable.
“We urge regulatory authorities to remain vigilant and take firm action against such practices, especially during this critical festive period,” the Lagos-based refinery said in a statement.
It noted that the significant price reduction was part of its mission to deliver affordable fuel to consumers and stabilize the downstream petroleum market.
With over 2,000 MRS stations nationwide, the new pricing is expected to be implemented across all outlets, ensuring that the benefits of this reduction reach consumers nationwide.
Dangote Refinery applauded marketers who have embraced the new pricing regime and urged others to follow suit in the interest of national economic recovery.
“We commend MRS and other marketers who have demonstrated patriotism by reflecting the reduced price at the pump. We call on others to join this effort as a show of support for Nigeria’s economic recovery,” the refinery stated.
Historically, the festive season has been associated with fuel scarcity and sharp price hikes. However, Dangote Refinery has delivered a decisive market intervention—crashing pump prices at a time when Nigerians typically brace for hardship. Backed by a guaranteed daily supply of 50 million litres, this initiative fundamentally alters the supply dynamics during the holiday period.
By refining locally at scale, the refinery is reducing Nigeria’s exposure to volatile global markets, conserving foreign exchange, stabilizing the Naira, and strengthening energy security. This sustained price cut and steady supply are providing relief to households, businesses, and transport operators nationwide.
Consumers were advised to resist purchasing fuel at inflated prices when cheaper, high-quality alternatives are readily available.
“We encourage Nigerians to avoid buying PMS at excessively high prices when they can access locally refined fuel at N739 per litre from over 2,000 MRS stations nationwide. Report any MRS station selling above N739 per litre by calling 0800 123 5264,” the refinery said.
“We also call on other petrol station operators to patronize our products so that the benefits of this price reduction can be passed on to Nigerians across all outlets, ensuring broad-based relief and a more stable downstream market,” it added, reaffirming its commitment to steady supply, price moderation, and energy security, emphasizing that its operations are anchored on long-term national interest rather than short-term market pressures.
“Our objective remains clear: to ensure consistent supply of high-quality petroleum products at affordable prices for Nigerians, while supporting economic stability and reducing dependence on imports,” the refinery concluded.
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