The trial of former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele continued in the Federal Capital Territory High Court on Thursday, November 14, 2024, with explosive testimony from Kingsley Obiora, the former Deputy Governor in charge of Policy at the CBN.

Obiora, who served under Emefiele, told the court that the new naira notes issued during Emefiele’s tenure did not match the version approved by President Muhammadu Buhari.

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Appearing virtually before Justice Maryann Anenih, Obiora explained that he noticed a discrepancy between the President’s original approval and the currency that was eventually produced and circulated.

His testimony followed a presentation of evidence by prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo SAN, which highlighted the differences between the two versions.

Obiora, who worked at the CBN for over seven years, further described his role within the CBN’s Committee of Governors (COG), a key decision-making body led by Emefiele.

According to Obiora, the committee, which included the governor, deputy governors, and the director of corporate services, met weekly to discuss critical bank policies.

During his testimony, Obiora recounted the events leading up to the controversial currency redesign.

He explained that on October 25, 2022, Emefiele informed the deputy governors of the plan during an event in Lagos marking the anniversary of the e-naira.

Obiora voiced concerns about announcing such a major policy at the event but was overruled when the redesign proposal was formally presented the following day in a COG meeting.

Emefiele reportedly told the committee that the President had already approved the redesign.

The policy was subsequently discussed and approved by the COG, and a public announcement was made by Emefiele and other senior CBN officials.

However, Obiora noted that the CBN Board was only formally informed about the redesign in December 2022, months after the policy had been set in motion.

He clarified that the board’s involvement was limited to endorsing the decisions made by the COG.

Under cross-examination by defence counsel Olalekan Ojo SAN, Obiora confirmed that the December 2022 Board meeting aligned with the notes eventually released into circulation, but reiterated that the board did not play a role in initiating the redesign.

He also stated that there had been no complaints from President Buhari about the policy.

Reflecting on his past involvement with currency redesigns, Obiora noted his participation in the 2014 N100 note redesign but emphasized that he had not been directly involved in that process.

After hearing his testimony, Justice Anenih adjourned the case until December 4, 2024, with further hearings scheduled for January 21, 2025.

There are reports of a violent clash between the Nigerian Army troops and bandits led by the notorious Bello Turji in the Sabon Birni area of Sokoto State.

The ongoing confrontation has disrupted normal life in the region, with travel between key towns now deemed unsafe.

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Abdulsalam Suleiman Izuagbe, a senior consultant and public affairs analyst, disclosed on Thursday that the situation has deteriorated, making the Shinkafi to Sabon Birni route perilous for travelers.

“There is a war going on in Sabon Birni; Bello Turji is facing the Nigerian Army as I speak to you,” Izuagbe said.

“They are exchanging fire in the Sabon Birni area. From Shinkafi to Sabon Birni is no longer safe for anybody to travel. To think it’s a normal business as usual is missing the point.”

As of the time of filing this report, the Sokoto State Police Command spokesperson, ASP Sanusi Abubakar, had not responded to calls or text messages seeking comment.

The clash marks a continuation of the violence in the region, where Turji’s criminal group has been wreaking havoc.

Local authorities are expected to provide more information as the situation evolves.

Two suspects have been arrested for allegedly impersonating officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in a bid to extort $1 million from Mohammed Bello-Koko, the former Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).

In this regard, Ojobo Joshua and Aliyu Hashim were arraigned before Justice Jude Onwuebuzie of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja on Wednesday.

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The duo are facing a four-count charge, including impersonation and attempted fraud under the Advanced Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.

According to the EFCC, Joshua and Hashim contacted Bello-Koko, falsely claiming they had influence over an ongoing investigation against him and demanded $1 million to ensure a favorable outcome.

They allegedly threatened to have him arrested and prosecuted if he refused to comply.

Court documents revealed that on September 28, 2024, the duo tried to extort $700,000 from Bello-Koko, claiming it would help block a fabricated EFCC petition against him.

The two suspects, believed to be part of a four-man syndicate posing as EFCC officials, were arrested on August 28, 2024, in Garki and the Apo Legislative Quarters in Abuja.

In court, both Joshua and Hashim pleaded not guilty to the charges.

EFCC prosecutor Elizabeth Alabi requested their remand in custody, while the defense sought bail.

Justice Onwuebuzie granted bail to Joshua under stringent conditions, including a N100 million bond and two sureties at level-16 civil service rank.

Both suspects were remanded at Kuje Correctional Centre until they meet the bail conditions.

A bail hearing for Hashim is scheduled for November 18, 2024.