Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja, on Monday, May 11, 2026, admitted in evidence newspaper publications tendered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the trial of the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele, over the alleged unlawful redesign of the naira. Justice Maryanne Anineh presided over the proceedings, which saw the prosecution present certified copies of The Punch, Thisday, Vanguard, Daily Sun, and The Nation newspapers, all containing reports of the alleged unlawful naira redesign, along with payment receipts for the purchase of the newspapers.
The evidence was introduced through the eighth prosecution witness (PW8), Jegede Oluwasegun, an official of the National Library of Nigeria. In his testimony, the witness confirmed that his schedule of duty included attending to the information needs of readers and certifying newspaper documents. The prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, explained that the presentation of the witness and the documents was in response to a motion on notice filed by the defence counsel on March 31, 2026, which requested the prosecution to produce all press releases and newspaper publications regarding the alleged unlawful act. The documents were tendered and admitted in evidence with no objection from the defence.
During cross‑examination by the defence counsel, Olalekun Ojo, SAN, the witness disclosed that he was neither the author of the newspaper publications nor could he speak to the content of the documents, as his duty was simply to certify that the newspapers were genuine publications of their respective titles. The defence did not challenge the authenticity of the newspapers or the receipts. Emefiele is being prosecuted by the EFCC on a four‑count charge bordering on the alleged unlawful printing of new naira notes, an action that critics say violated established laws and procedures governing currency redesign. The case has been ongoing for several months, with the former CBN governor maintaining his innocence.
The admission of the newspaper publications into evidence marks a significant step in the trial, as the articles are expected to be used by the prosecution to establish the timeline and public discourse surrounding the controversial naira redesign policy implemented during Emefiele’s tenure. The court adjourned the matter for further hearing. No date was immediately announced for the next sitting.
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