Alleged Illegal Naira Redesign: Court Rejects Emefiele’s Bid To Stall Trial, Orders EFCC Witness To Continue Testimony

The trial of former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, over the alleged unlawful redesign and printing of the naira, continued on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, as the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Maitama, Abuja, declined a request by the defence for an adjournment.
Justice Maryanne Anineh ruled that proceedings should continue despite objections from Emefiele’s counsel, Olalekan Ojo, SAN, who argued that the defence was served late with the investigation statement of the Managing Director of the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company Plc.
Emefiele is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a four-count charge bordering on the unlawful printing of new naira notes.
At the resumed hearing, prosecution counsel, Abbas Mohammed, informed the court that the matter was scheduled for the continuation of the cross-examination of the seventh prosecution witness (PW7), who was present in court.
However, Ojo objected, stating that the defence had requested the investigation report containing the statement of the Managing Director of the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company at the previous sitting, but was only served the six-page document about 20 minutes before proceedings commenced.
“My Lord, this report ought to have been made available to us at least 48 hours, or a minimum of 24 hours, before today’s proceedings. Even the defendant has not had the opportunity to see it,” Ojo said, urging the court to adjourn the matter to allow the defence study the document.
In response, Mohammed told the court that the prosecution had no intention of ambushing the defence or denying it access to the document. He explained that the report was requested during the cross-examination of PW7 at the last sitting and was a document to be tendered through the witness.
Opposing the adjournment application, Mohammed urged the court to direct the defence to proceed, noting that other opportunities would arise to address issues relating to the investigation report.
Ruling on the application, Justice Anineh refused the adjournment request and ordered that the cross-examination of PW7 should continue.
Following the ruling, Ojo resumed cross-examination, questioning PW7 on an email exchange between the Managing Director of the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company and De La Rue.
The witness told the court that the email was provided to the EFCC by the Managing Director, whom he identified as Ahmed Halilu. He added that although he could not recall the number of statements made by the Managing Director, he did make statements during the investigation.
PW7 further stated that he was the officer who directly interacted with the Managing Director but could not remember whether his team asked if the company had previously designed currency in Nigeria or the exact date the investigation was concluded.
On questions relating to the quantity of new naira notes released, the witness confirmed that inquiries were made from CBN officials but said he did not have details of the amount allegedly released to commercial banks nationwide.