Court Admits Newspaper Evidence in Emefiele Naira Redesign Trial

Court Admits Newspaper Evidence in Emefiele Naira Redesign Trial

The Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, presided over by Justice Maryanne Anineh, on Monday admitted newspaper publications tendered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the ongoing trial of former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, over allegations linked to the controversial naira redesign policy.

The EFCC is prosecuting Emefiele on a four-count charge bordering on alleged unlawful actions in the printing and implementation of the redesigned naira notes, a policy that triggered widespread cash shortages, long bank queues, and economic disruption across Nigeria in late 2022 and early 2023.

During the court session, prosecution counsel Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN) led the eighth prosecution witness, Jegede Oluwasegun, an official of the National Library of Nigeria, to present certified newspaper publications from The Punch, Vanguard, ThisDay, Daily Sun, and The Nation. The documents contained reports relating to the naira redesign exercise as well as payment receipts used in procuring and certifying the publications.

Oyedepo told the court that the documents were tendered in compliance with a motion on notice filed by the defence on March 31, 2026, which requested the prosecution to produce all press releases and newspaper reports connected to the alleged unlawful conduct.

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The newspaper publications were admitted into evidence without objection from the defence counsel, Olalekan Ojo (SAN), allowing the court to formally accept them as part of the case record.

Under cross-examination, the prosecution witness clarified that his role at the National Library of Nigeria was purely administrative. He explained that he was responsible for attending to information requests and certifying newspaper documents when required by legal or official processes.

He further stated that he was neither the author of the publications nor in a position to verify or defend their content, stressing that his duty was limited strictly to authentication of archival newspaper records.

Emefiele, who served as CBN Governor from 2014 to 2023, is currently standing trial over allegations connected to the implementation of the naira redesign policy, which was introduced during the final months of his tenure and sparked nationwide cash scarcity and public outrage.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission alleges that aspects of the policy were carried out in violation of due process and financial regulations. However, Emefiele has consistently denied any wrongdoing.

After admitting the exhibits, Justice Anineh adjourned the matter for continuation of hearing as the prosecution prepares to call additional witnesses in the ongoing trial.

Court Admits Newspaper Evidence in Emefiele Naira Redesign Trial