Breaking: Court Fixes Dates To Wrap Up Emefiele’s Naira Redesign Case

According to Ireporter Online, the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory sitting in Abuja has fixed multiple hearing dates aimed at concluding the trial of former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, over allegations connected to the naira redesign policy.

The court, presided over by Justice Maryann Anenih, reached the decision on Wednesday, January 29, 2026, following a consensus by counsel representing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the former apex bank chief on a revised hearing schedule. A total of ten hearing dates were approved as part of efforts to fast-track the trial.

Proceedings are slated to resume on February 3 and 10, April 1 and 2, May 11, 12, 13 and 14, as well as June 9 and 10. Justice Anenih disclosed that the case, which commenced in 2024, is expected to be concluded within the approved timeframe. She urged both prosecution and defence teams to strictly adhere to the court’s timetable, assuring them that necessary arrangements would be put in place to ensure seamless proceedings.

During the resumed sitting, an EFCC witness, Emere Chinedu, informed the court that the naira redesign policy received approval from the Presidency under the late former President Muhammadu Buhari. Chinedu, an operative of the commission, stated that the approval was formally conveyed to the EFCC in writing after the agency made official enquiries.

He added that the approval was conditional, with clear instructions that the printing of the redesigned currency must be carried out within Nigeria, countering claims that the notes were produced outside the country during Emefiele’s tenure. The witness further disclosed that Emefiele made six extra-judicial statements while appearing before an inter-agency investigative panel, which were recorded between October 26 and November 2, 2023.

Under cross-examination, Chinedu declined to comment on allegations that a former EFCC chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa, proposed the naira redesign to President Buhari. He maintained that the EFCC does not possess the authority to initiate changes to Nigeria’s currency design, noting that any role played by the commission could only be advisory.

The witness also confirmed the existence of video clips documenting the hardship experienced by Nigerians during the naira redesign period, stating that the materials predated the formation of the probe panel. He explained that the videos were sourced online and submitted as evidence of public suffering, adding that journalists or media personnel involved in producing the clips were not interviewed.

Emefiele, who is standing trial under charge number FCT/HC/CR/264/2024, has pleaded not guilty to all charges. The court subsequently adjourned the matter to February 3 for the continuation of cross-examination of the EFCC witness.