A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, has fixed ten fresh hearing dates to conclude the trial of former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, over charges linked to the naira redesign policy instituted during his tenure.
The trial judge, Justice Maryann Anenih, set the dates on Wednesday following an agreement between counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), and Emefiele’s defence lawyer, Olalekan Ojo (SAN). The court scheduled hearings for February 3 and 10; April 1 and 2; May 11, 12, 13 and 14; as well as June 9 and 10, with a directive that the case must be concluded within the period.
Justice Anenih urged both parties to strictly comply with the timetable, assuring them that the court would make adequate arrangements to ensure the smooth conduct of the trial, which commenced in 2024.
At the resumed hearing, an EFCC witness, Emere Chinedu, an operative of the commission, testified that the Presidency under the late former President Muhammadu Buhari approved the redesign of the naira notes. Chinedu, who headed the inter-agency probe panel that investigated Emefiele, said the approval was communicated to the EFCC in writing after the commission made enquiries.
He, however, noted that the approval came with a proviso that the printing of the redesigned naira notes must be carried out locally, contrary to allegations that the notes were printed abroad during Emefiele’s tenure.
Chinedu also disclosed that Emefiele made six extra-judicial statements to the probe panel between October 26 and November 2, 2023. During cross-examination, the witness declined to comment on claims that a former EFCC chairman suggested the redesign policy, stressing that the commission has no authority to initiate changes to the naira.
Justice Anenih adjourned the matter to February 3 for continuation of cross-examination.
