A Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja, on Monday admitted additional documentary evidence in the ongoing trial of former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele, over the alleged unlawful redesign of the naira.
Justice Maryanne Anineh admitted certified newspaper publications tendered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as exhibits in the matter.
The documents were presented through the eighth prosecution witness, Jegede Oluwasegun, an official of the National Library of Nigeria, during proceedings on May 11, 2026.
Led in evidence by EFCC counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, the witness tendered certified copies of reports published in The Punch, ThisDay, Vanguard, Daily Sun and The Nation newspapers relating to the alleged unlawful naira redesign. Payment receipts for the purchase of the newspapers were also submitted before the court.
Oyedepo told the court that the documents were produced in compliance with a motion filed by the defence on March 31, 2026, requesting the prosecution to provide all press releases and newspaper publications connected to the allegations.
The exhibits were admitted without objection from defence counsel, Olalekan Ojo, SAN.
During cross-examination, Oluwasegun explained that his responsibilities at the National Library included attending to information requests and certifying newspaper documents. He, however, clarified that he was neither the author of the newspaper reports nor in a position to speak on the contents of the publications.
“My duty is simply to certify newspapers,” the witness told the court.
Emefiele is facing a four-count charge filed by the EFCC bordering on the alleged unlawful printing and redesign of naira notes while serving as governor of the CBN.
