AMIRU SANUSI, JSC (Delivering the Leading Judgment): This is an appeal against the Judgment of the Court of Appeal, Benin Division (the lower Court) delivered on the 9th of April, 2014 which affirmed the decision of the Federal High Court, Benin division (the trial Court).
The background facts which gave rise to this appeal as gathered from the Record are summarised below. The prosecution preferred 66 count charge against the appellant and 6 other accused persons before the trial Court. The appellant herein, was the 5th accused person and he and his co-accused were alleged to be involved in the laundering of the funds belonging to the Edo State Government and Local Government, of the State.
On being served with the charge, the accused persons filed an application dated 4th February, 2011 challenging the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court Benin to entertain the charge. The application was predicated on the doctrines of double jeopardy and condonation. They complained that they have b…