A High Court in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, has scheduled ten new hearing dates to wrap up the trial of former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor Godwin Emefiele, who is facing charges associated with the naira redesign, brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
Justice Maryann Anenih, the trial judge, set the dates on Wednesday after an agreement was reached between the EFCC’s counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), and Emefiele’s attorney, Olalekan Ojo (SAN).
The court stated that the trial, which began in 2024, would conclude on the following hearing dates: February 3 and 10; April 1 and 2; May 11, 12, 13, and 14; and June 9 and 10.
Justice Anenih encouraged lawyers from both sides to follow the schedule closely, assuring them that the court would provide sufficient arrangements for the trial.
During the resumed hearing on Wednesday, EFCC witness Emere Chinedu, an operative of the commission, stated that the redesign of the naira notes was authorized by the presidency under the late former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Chinedu, leading the inter-agency investigation team looking into Emefiele’s tenure, said that the approval was sent to the EFCC in a written format after the commission’s inquiry.
He mentioned, however, that the endorsement included a condition: the printing of the new naira notes must occur domestically, in contrast to claims that the notes were produced overseas during Emefiele’s tenure.
“The state House gave approval for the naira redesign, but with a proviso that it must be done locally,” Chinedu told the court.
The witness further revealed that Emefiele provided six extrajudicial statements during his appearances before the investigation panel on October 26, 27, 30, and 31 and November 1 and 2, 2023.
During cross-examination, Chinedu refused to discuss assertions made by Emefiele that a former EFCC Chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa, had first proposed the naira redesign to President Buhari.
He remarked that the EFCC lacks the power to suggest alterations to the naira’s color, emphasizing that any involvement by the commission in this matter could only be consultative.
Chinedu additionally verified that the video footage depicting the difficulties faced by Nigerians during the naira redesign, presented by the EFCC, was available before the formation of the investigation panel.
He stated that the videos were obtained from the internet and submitted to illustrate the supposed challenges Nigerians encountered, noting that none of the employees from the television stations that created the clips were interviewed.
Emefiele is undergoing trial for charge FCT/HC/CR/264/2024 and has denied the allegations.
Justice Anenih adjourned the case to February 3 for the continuation of the EFCC witness’s cross-examination.
