By Yemi Oyeyemi, Abuja
A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has fixed 10 additional days to conclude the trial of the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele, over corruption charges relating to the naira redesign policy instituted during his tenure.
Justice Maryann Anenih fixed the trial dates on Wednesday following an agreement by counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, and counsel to the defendant, Mr Olalekan Ojo, SAN.
The dates slated for continuation of the trial are February 3 and 10; April 1 and 2; May 11, 12, 13 and 14; and June 9 and 10. The court indicated that the trial, which commenced in 2024, is expected to be concluded within the period.
Justice Anenih urged counsel on both sides to adhere strictly to the scheduled dates, assuring them that the court would make adequate arrangements to accommodate the proceedings.
At Wednesday’s sitting, an EFCC witness, Mr Emere Chinedu, an operative of the commission, told the court that the Presidency under former President Muhammadu Buhari approved the redesign of the naira notes. Chinedu, however, stated that the approval was subject to the condition that the printing of the redesigned notes be carried out locally.
The witness, who headed the Inter-Agency Probe Panel that investigated Emefiele, disclosed that the former CBN governor made six extra-judicial statements in the course of the investigation to present his defence. According to him, the statements were made on October 26, 27, 30 and 31, as well as November 1 and 2, 2023.
“In the course of our investigation, we extended our inquiry to the State House to confirm approval for the naira redesign. The response was communicated to the EFCC in writing,” Chinedu said. “The State House approved the naira redesign but with a proviso that it must be done locally.”
Under cross-examination by defence counsel, Olalekan Ojo, SAN, the witness declined to comment on claims by Emefiele that a former EFCC Chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa, was the first to suggest the naira redesign to former President Buhari. Chinedu maintained that the EFCC has no authority to propose changes to the naira, adding that any input from the commission could only be advisory.
On video clips from various television stations tendered by the EFCC to show hardship allegedly suffered by Nigerians during the naira redesign, the witness admitted that the clips predated the constitution of the probe panel. He explained that the videos were downloaded from the internet and tendered as evidence of the impact of the policy.
Chinedu also told the court that he did not know any staff of the television stations that produced the videos and did not interview anyone connected with the broadcasts.
Emefiele is standing trial in a charge marked FCT/HC/CR/264/2024, to which he has pleaded not guilty.
Justice Anenih adjourned the matter to February 3 for continuation of cross-examination.
