A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja has fixed June 2026 as the deadline to conclude the trial of former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele, over charges linked to the naira redesign policy.
The trial judge, Justice Maryann Anenih, approved ten new hearing dates after lawyers for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and Emefiele reached an agreement on the schedule. The dates span February, April, May, and June, during which the case that began in 2024 is expected to be fully heard and wrapped up.
The court directed both the prosecution and defence teams to keep strictly to the timetable, assuring them that the court would adjust its schedule where necessary to allow the trial to proceed without delays.
At the resumed hearing, an EFCC operative, Emere Chinedu, told the court that the naira redesign policy was approved by the Presidency under the late former President Muhammadu Buhari. He explained that the approval was conveyed to the EFCC in writing after the commission made enquiries during its investigation.
Chinedu also stated that the approval came with a condition that the redesigned naira notes should be printed within Nigeria. This, he said, differed from claims that the currency was printed outside the country while Emefiele was in office.
The witness further informed the court that Emefiele made six statements to an inter-agency panel investigating the matter over several days between October and November 2023. He confirmed that the EFCC has no power to suggest changes to the design or colour of the naira, adding that any involvement by the commission could only be advisory.
During cross-examination, Chinedu confirmed that video materials showing hardship experienced by Nigerians during the naira redesign were obtained online before the probe panel was set up. He explained that the videos were presented to show the alleged impact of the policy, noting that journalists or media workers who produced the clips were not questioned.
Emefiele is facing trial under charge number FCT/HC/CR/264/2024 and has pleaded not guilty to all allegations. The case was adjourned to February 3 for the continuation of cross-examination.