EFCC Witness Reveals Presidential Approval
An operative of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has told the Federal Capital Territory High Court that the Presidency under former President Muhammadu Buhari granted approval for the redesign of Nigeria’s naira notes.
The disclosure was made during proceedings in the corruption trial of former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor Godwin Emefiele, currently facing charges over the controversial currency redesign policy.
Local Printing Condition Highlighted
Testifying before Justice Maryanne Anenih, the EFCC witness, Emere Chinedu, said the approval from the Presidency came with a specific condition: that the printing of the redesigned naira notes should be carried out locally.
According to the witness, investigations later showed that the printing was done outside Nigeria, a development that formed part of the issues examined by the EFCC’s inter-agency probe panel.
Multiple Statements by Emefiele
Chinedu, who headed the probe panel, told the court that Emefiele made six extra-judicial statements between October 26 and November 2, 2023, during the investigation.
He said the panel extended its inquiry to the State House to confirm whether presidential authorisation existed, adding that the written response from the Presidency confirmed approval for the naira redesign, albeit with the local printing proviso.
Trial Dates Fixed
Following agreement between counsel to the EFCC, Rotimi Oyedepo, and defence counsel, Olalekan Ojo, Justice Anenih fixed ten days to conclude the trial.
The scheduled hearing dates are February 3 and 10, April 1 and 2, May 11, 12, 13 and 14, as well as June 9 and 10.
The judge urged both parties to keep faith with the timeline, assuring them that the court would make accommodations to ensure the matter is concluded expeditiously.
Dispute Over Hardship Evidence
Under cross-examination, the EFCC witness admitted that video clips showing Nigerians complaining of hardship during the naira redesign existed before the probe panel was constituted.
He said the videos, tendered by the prosecution, were downloaded from the internet and used to demonstrate the alleged impact of the policy, but confirmed that the panel did not interview any of the broadcasters who produced the footage.
Further cross-examination of the witness has been adjourned to February 3.
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