The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) introduced newspaper articles as evidence on Monday in the ongoing legal proceedings against former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele. The case centers on allegations of disobeying legal directives and causing harm to the nation through the Naira redesign policy.
During the hearing at the Federal Capital Territory High Court, the anti-corruption agency presented the publications through a subpoenaed witness, Jegede Oluwasegun, an employee of the National Library of Nigeria. The documents are meant to support the prosecution’s argument that Emefiele violated legal procedures.
Emefiele faces a four-count charge, including allegations that between October 19, 2022, and March 5, 2023, he approved the printing of 375,520,000 pieces of color-swapped 1,000 Naira notes at a cost of over 11 billion Naira without the required approval from the CBN Board and the President. The prosecution claims this act caused public injury.
The defendant has pleaded not guilty to all charges. In court, prosecution counsel Rotimi Oyedepo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), led the witness through his testimony. The witness explained his role in certifying the newspapers.
Oyedepo then submitted copies of several national dailies, including Punch, ThisDay, Vanguard, Daily Sun, and The Nation, along with certification receipts from the National Library. Emefiele’s lawyer, Olalekan Ojo (SAN), did not raise objections, and the judge admitted them as exhibits.
During cross-examination by the defense, the witness acknowledged that he did not author the newspaper articles. He stated, “I only certify the newspapers. I cannot guarantee the accuracy of the content. I am not the writer.”
Ojo later referred to a specific ThisDay publication from January 31, 2023, and its certification. The witness confirmed the document, and after the prosecution had no objections, the court marked it as an exhibit.
Justice Maryanne Anenih adjourned the trial until May 12 for further proceedings.