By Francis Wilfred
Justice Maryanne Anineh of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Maitama, Abuja, has admitted in evidence newspaper publications tendered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in the ongoing trial of former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele, over the alleged unlawful redesign of the naira.
While leading the eighth prosecution witness, PW8, Jegede Oluwasegun, in his testimony, prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, presented certified copies of publications from The Punch, ThisDay, Vanguard, Daily Sun and The Nation newspapers.
The documents reportedly contained reports relating to the alleged unlawful naira redesign, alongside payment receipts for the purchase of the newspapers.
According to Oyedepo, the witness and documents were presented in response to a motion filed by the defence counsel requesting that the prosecution produce all press releases and newspaper publications connected to the alleged unlawful act.
The documents were tendered and admitted in evidence without objection from the defence team.
During cross-examination by defence counsel, Olalekun Ojo, the witness stated that his duties at the National Library were limited to attending to readers’ information needs and certifying newspaper documents.
He further clarified that he was neither the author of the publications nor in a position to speak on the contents of the reports, noting that his role was strictly to certify the newspapers presented before the court.
Emefiele is currently being prosecuted by the EFCC on a four-count charge bordering on the alleged unlawful printing of new naira notes.
Leave a Reply