An Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) witness, Chinelo Eneanya, told the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court on Thursday that the Naira notes redesign initiated by former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, brought economic hardship to Nigerians.
Eneanya, an investigator with the EFCC, was the seventh prosecution witness (PW7) in the ex-CBN governor’s trial for alleged procurement fraud.
The witness, who was led in evidence by the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), told the court that from the video evidence tendered in court, the policy injured the public.
Eneanya said he was in court to give evidence on the investigation carried out in the case and its findings.
When asked whether the commission’s investigation covered the allegations in the case, he said: “We investigated the allegations that the conduct of the defendant caused injury to the people.
“It has direct bearing on how or the effect of the Naira redesign severely affected the public.
“We looked at the documentary, electronic, and audiovisual evidence of the effect of the naira redesign on the public.”
The prosecution then tendered the documents, the audio-visual device, and the certificate of identification in evidence.
Additionally, the certified copy of a bundle of documents tagged “Delivery notes and notice of meeting” was admitted in court.
The defendant’s counsel, Olalekan Ojo (SAN), did not object to the tendering of the documents.
Six video recordings (audiovisual) evidence from News Central, Channel Television, Television Continental (TVC), and Arise TV were played in the court.
On the video recordings, the witness added: “It showed that there was widespread frustration and difficulties from the public in meeting their daily needs, and their businesses were equally affected.
Justice Maryann Anenih adjourned hearing in the case to November 26.