Emefiele: Court summons key witnesses to testify in $6.23m fraud trial
The Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja has directed a Commissioner of Police, Eloho Okpoziakpo, and former Executive Secretary of the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria, Jim Obazee, to appear as witnesses in the ongoing trial of former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele.
The order was issued by Justice Hamza Mu’azu through a subpoena dated April 27, 2026, mandating both officials to be present in court on Tuesday, April 28, 2026.
Emefiele is currently facing prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over an amended 20-count charge involving allegations of criminal breach of trust, forgery, abuse of office, and conspiracy to obtain money under false pretence amounting to $6.23m.
According to the subpoena, the court stated that the defendant “has been charged by the Federal Republic of Nigeria… on offences emanating from your investigation.”
Justice Mu’azu instructed the summoned individuals to attend court proceedings and provide testimony relevant to the case.
“You are therefore summoned to appear before this Court on the 28th of April, 2026 at the hour of 9 ‘o’ Clock in the forenoon and so soon thereafter from day to day until the above cause is tried,” the document read.
The subpoena also required the witnesses to “tender newspaper publication relating to Naira redesign.”
The court observed that both Obazee and Okpoziakpo were involved in the investigative process that resulted in the charges against Emefiele and are expected to shed light on matters linked to the naira redesign policy.
Proceedings are set to continue with the testimony of the summoned witnesses.
