RismadarVoice Reporters
January 29, 2026
A prosecution witness in the trial of former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, on alleged unlawful printing of new naira notes, has told the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Abuja, that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) conducted a nationwide and thorough investigation into the matter.
Prosecution Witness Seven (PW7), Eneanye Chinedu, who is the Head of Special Duty Committee 3 of the EFCC, gave the testimony on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, before Justice Maryanne Anineh, while being cross-examined by defence counsel, Olalekan Ojo, SAN.
PW7 said he coordinated the investigation alongside other EFCC officers identified as Buhari, Lanre, Adamu Alhaji and Ganiyu Olaibe, adding that the findings presented in his evidence-in-chief fully captured the outcome of the investigation.
“As the head of the team, it is my duty to assign responsibilities and ensure that a proper investigation is carried out. Team leaders also assign duties to members under them,” he said.
While admitting that he did not personally interrogate the defendant, the witness explained that Emefiele was questioned by other members of the investigation team.
“I did not have any direct interaction with the defendant, but he was interrogated by members of my team,” he told the court.
During the proceedings, the defence applied for Exhibit S1, a television news report highlighting the hardship experienced by Nigerians during the naira redesign policy, to be shown to the witness.
PW7 identified the video as a report by News Central Television, but stated that the EFCC neither produced nor relied on it in its investigation.
“I do not know the date the video was produced, and I do not know the staff of the station that made the report. No staff of the station was interviewed because the video was obtained without third-party input.” He said.
Another video report from TVC on the same subject was also played in court, with the witness similarly stating that neither he nor any member of his team interviewed the anchors or presenters featured in the footage.
A further video showing former Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai, former Zamfara State Governor Bello Matawalle, and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello was also tendered.
PW7 disassociated himself and his team from the source of the video, explaining that EFCC investigators interviewed members of the public during the course of the investigation.
He confirmed that EFCC zonal offices across the federation, including those in Abuja and Lagos, participated in the investigation.
“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.
A video report from Arise News, featuring the defendant, was equally played in court.
PW7 disclosed that Emefiele was interviewed by the EFCC during the investigation process.
When shown Exhibit W, the extra-judicial statements of the defendant, the witness told the court that Emefiele made several statements to the Commission on different dates.
“The defendant made statements on October 26, 27, 30 and 31, 2023, and on November 1 and 2, 2023,” he said.
Responding to questions on whether he was aware of Emefiele’s claim that the former EFCC Chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa, briefed former President Muhammadu Buhari on the naira redesign policy, the witness said the EFCC had no authority to initiate such policy decisions.
“The EFCC does not have the power to do that. What we do is investigate and offer advice. The defendant did not provide any additional evidence, whether video or audio, to support that claim,” he said, noting that the claim was contained on page 30 of the defendant’s statement.
PW7 further disclosed that the investigation extended to the State House, adding that a written response was received and reviewed by him as team leader.
“Yes, my lord, it was in writing. A memorandum came from the State House, and I read it,” he said.
An attempt by the defence to ask whether any executive order was issued by the late President Buhari in relation to the naira redesign drew an objection from prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, who argued that the question was speculative and not based on any allegation against the former President.
The court upheld the objection.
However, when the question was rephrased, PW7 told the court that he was not aware of any executive order issued by the late President in respect of the naira redesign policy.
Justice Anineh adjourned the matter to February 3 and 10, and April 1 and 2, 2026, for continuation of trial.
Further hearing dates were also fixed for May 11, 12, 13 and 14 and June 9 and 10, 2026.
