The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Maitama, Abuja, has declined an application for adjournment filed by the defence in the ongoing trial of former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele.
The Commission disclosed this in a statement issued by its Head, Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, on Tuesday.
Emefiele is being prosecuted on a four-count charge bordering on alleged unlawful printing of new naira notes.
According to the EFCC, at the sitting before Justice Maryanne Anineh, prosecution counsel Abbas Mohammed informed the court that the matter was for continuation of cross-examination of PW7.
However, defence counsel, Olalekan Ojo, SAN, objected, stating that the statement obtained from the Managing Director of the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Plc was served on him about 20 minutes before proceedings.
“My Lord, the investigation report was made available to us barely 20 minutes before today’s proceedings. Even the defendant has not had the opportunity to see it,” Ojo said.
Mohammed responded that the document was produced following a request by the defence at the previous sitting and was not meant to disadvantage them.
“My Lord, the decision to bring the investigation report today was not to deny the defence or the defendant access to the document,” he said.
The EFCC stated that Justice Anineh ruled that cross-examination should continue.
During cross-examination, the witness confirmed that an email exchange between the Managing Director of the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company and De La Rue was provided to investigators by the Managing Director, Ahmed Halilu.
The witness also said task-force teams visited banks nationwide to ensure availability of the redesigned naira notes but could not give specific figures or confirm sanctions against erring banks.
The Commission added that the defence later renewed its adjournment request, which was opposed on the ground that the Managing Director had already testified as PW2 and relevant documents were before the court.
Justice Anineh subsequently adjourned the matter to March 19; April 1 and 2; May 11 and 12; and June 9 and 10, 2026, for continuation of trial.