A prosecution witness in the trial of former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, over alleged unlawful printing of new naira notes, told the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Abuja that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) conducted a thorough and nationwide investigation into the matter.
The testimony was delivered by Eneanye Chinedu, Prosecution Witness Seven (PW7) and Head of Special Duty Committee 3 of the EFCC, during proceedings presided over by Justice Maryanne Anineh.
Under cross-examination by defence counsel Olalekan Ojo, SAN, PW7 said he coordinated the investigation team, which included officers identified as Buhari, Lanre, Adamu Alhaji, and Ganiyu Olaibe. He confirmed that his evidence-in-chief captured all the essential findings of the EFCC investigation.
“As the head of the team, it is my duty to assign responsibilities and ensure proper investigation is carried out. Team leaders also assigned duties to members under them,” he explained. While he did not personally interrogate Emefiele, PW7 said other team members conducted the interrogation.
During the proceedings, defence counsel presented several video reports highlighting public hardship during the naira redesign policy, including clips from News Central, TVC, and Arise News, as well as videos featuring former governors Nasir el-Rufai, Bello Matawalle, and Yahaya Bello.
PW7 clarified that none of these reports originated from the EFCC investigation team, and the videos were not part of their evidence collection.
He affirmed, however, that his team interviewed members of the public and coordinated with all EFCC zonal offices nationwide, including Abuja and Lagos.
“The Commission has zonal offices across the country. The team visited the Central Bank of Nigeria and other commercial banks to monitor cash disbursement to the public,” he said.
On the defendant’s statements, PW7 confirmed that Emefiele gave multiple statements to the EFCC on October 26, 27, 30, 31 and November 1 and 2, 2023. He also clarified that the EFCC does not have the authority to initiate currency redesign policies.
“The EFCC does not have the power to do that. What we do is investigate and offer advice,”
The witness further revealed that the investigation extended to the State House, with a written memorandum submitted and reviewed by him.
When asked whether any executive order was issued by the late President Muhammadu Buhari regarding the naira redesign, PW7 stated that he was unaware of any such order.
The trial was adjourned by Justice Anineh to February 3 and 10, and April 1 and 2, 2026, with further hearing dates fixed for May 11–14 and June 9–10, 2026.