Naira Redesign: Court Approves EFCC’s Request For Virtual Testimony From US-Based Witnesses Against Emefiele

The FCT High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja, has granted the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) its quest to present more oral evidence against the former Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele, through a virtual platform.

Justice Maryanne Anenih approved the plea following the anti-graft agency’s complaints that it had trouble getting the witnesses, I.E. Obiora and Aisha Ahmed, who are now in the United States of America, to Nigeria.

The EFCC is prosecuting Emefiele on a four-count charge bordering on disobedience of legal directives and illegal actions, causing harm to the public concerning the controversial naira redesign policy and printing the Nigerian currency unlawfully, among other things.

Given the problems encountered, EFCC’s lawyer, Abass Mohammed, filed a motion to have the witnesses’ oral evidence taken via Zoom or other video platforms.

“We filed a motion seeking my lord’s indulgence to take the oral evidence of the two witnesses via Zoom or any other video links, my lord,” he said.

“Subject to my lord’s permission, we seek my lord’s permission to move the motion,” he said, adding that the defence counsel had received the motion.

Although the defence counsel, A. Labi-Lawal, did not raise any objections to the prosecution’s application, he, however, enquired if the U.S.-based witnesses would be the final witnesses the prosecution would bring.

“We are not opposing the motion, but we would like to confirm from the prosecution whether these are the only witnesses that are left in the trial, my lord,” he said.

Mohammed responded by stating that the prosecution was calling the witnesses first as part of a continuing assessment of its case plan and that there were more witnesses besides the two who resided in the United States.

Justice Anenih, after hearing both parties, granted the prosecution’s virtual request and adjourned the trial till November 14, 26, December 4, and January 21, 2025.