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Witness: Emefiele Acted On Buhari’s Orders In Naira Redesign.
A prosecution witness on Tuesday told an Abuja High Court that former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele acted in line with a directive from the late President Muhammadu Buhari to produce the redesigned naira notes locally.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The witness, Chinedu Emere, an investigator with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), gave evidence in the ongoing trial of Emefiele, who faces charges over alleged illegal actions said to have harmed the public.
The EFCC had accused Emefiele of violating Section 123 of the Penal Code, Cap 89, Laws of the Federation, 1990, a punishable offence. Emefiele has pleaded not guilty.
Buhari Approved Redesign, Ordered Local Production
During cross-examination by Emefiele’s lawyer, Olalekan Ojo, SAN, Emere stated that Emefiele followed Buhari’s instruction that the redesigned naira notes be produced by the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company (NSPMC).
Emere, the seventh prosecution witness (PW7), said Emefiele submitted a memorandum dated October 6, 2022, requesting approval to redesign and reissue the ₦1,000, ₦500, ₦200, and ₦100 notes.
“The former president approved the redesign but directed that the production be done locally. He minuted: ‘Approved. But to be produced locally,’” Emere told the court.
The witness explained that Emefiele had listed several reasons for the redesign, including rampant counterfeiting and a worsening banknote shortage. Following approval, the CBN issued bills of settlement to NSPMC for the production of the redesigned notes.
When asked if the notes were produced locally, Emere confirmed that NSPMC manufactured them in compliance with the presidential directive. He added, however, that the design work was carried out by the foreign company De La Rue, for which the CBN made payments in British Pounds, while production costs to NSPMC were paid in naira.
Emere also stated that De La Rue had originally designed the naira notes and that the security features of the redesigned notes were their work. He could not recall if any of Emefiele’s deputy governors mentioned a Nigerian company had ever designed naira notes, noting that local design was not part of the EFCC investigation.
Buhari Launches Redesigned Notes
The witness added that former President Buhari eventually launched the redesigned notes but could not remember whether the president raised any objections afterward. He said the EFCC concluded its investigation and produced a report.
During proceedings, Emefiele’s lawyer requested access to the investigation report. The prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, objected, saying the prosecution did not have the document. Justice MaryAnne Anenih ordered the EFCC to provide the report to the defence to allow proper case preparation.
The court adjourned the matter to February 10 for further hearing.
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Tinubu’s Daughter Fires Warning At Nigerians Over Atiku, Obi Ahead Of 2027 Election.
Mujidat Folasade Tinubu-Ojo, daughter of President Bola Tinubu, has called on Nigerians not to vote for African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar or Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate Peter Obi in the 2027 general elections.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Tinubu-Ojo, who is the Iyaloja-General of Nigeria, warned that electing either opposition figure would take the country backwards and undo the progress she believes has been recorded under her father’s administration.
She made the remarks on Thursday during the launch of the Iyaloja General Movement (IGM) for Renewed Hope Initiatives at Eagle Square in Abuja.
Speaking at the event, Tinubu-Ojo disclosed that the movement had established structures across the 36 states, local government areas and wards in the country.
She also defended her father’s administration, saying President Tinubu had introduced policies aimed at improving the economy, even though Nigerians were currently experiencing their effects.
While acknowledging that the policies had made life difficult for many citizens, she expressed confidence that the situation would improve over time.
Tinubu-Ojo said the movement was established to mobilise market leaders and educate Nigerians on the choices before them in the next general elections.
She said, “What we are putting together as market leaders is to encourage our people, to sensitise them on the next election, and on which direction they should follow.
“What he is doing right now is like a pregnant woman going through labour. We are labouring now. Almost all Nigerians are feeling what he is doing now. The policies are painful, but the end result will justify the means.”
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Peter Obi’s Camp Fires Back At Okorocha Over ‘Four-Year Gambling’ Comment.
The camp of Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has rejected former Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha’s description of the proposed single-term presidency as “a four-year gambling.”....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Okorocha had praised Obi as a “fantastic gentleman” with a clear mind but cautioned that the Igbo people could not afford to take a risk with a four-year presidential term.
“Obi is a fantastic gentleman, clear in his head. Oh, there’s nothing wrong with him. But we can’t gamble. We can’t do a four-year gamble this time,” he said.
The former governor acknowledged that he had previously supported the idea of a single-term presidency but argued that the prevailing political situation had changed.
Reacting in a statement on Friday, the Director-General of the NDC National Campaign Council, Ibrahim Abdulkarim, said the party appreciated Okorocha’s positive description of Obi but disagreed with his position on the proposed one-term arrangement.
Abdulkarim said a four-year presidency should not be regarded as a gamble, insisting that a sincere leader with a clear vision could achieve significant progress within that period.
He said, “We have reviewed Senator Rochas Okorocha’s comments on Channels Television’s Politics Today.
“We accept his description of Peter Obi as ‘a fantastic gentleman; clear in his head.’ On the claim that a single term is ‘a four-year gambling,’ we respectfully disagree.”
According to Abdulkarim, four years is sufficient for a committed leader to transform the country if there is a clear plan and genuine determination to deliver results.
He added that Obi was prepared to serve for only one term, with the intention of addressing Nigeria’s challenges rather than gambling with the future of its citizens.
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1. ‘We Will Scrutinise It’ – Oshiomhole Sends Message Over Tinubu’s Fresh Loan Request
Senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, has assured Nigerians that the National Assembly will carefully scrutinise President Bola Tinubu’s fresh loan request before deciding whether to approve it.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The request has sparked reactions from Nigerians and opposition parties, with some questioning the need for additional borrowing, particularly as the country approaches the 2027 general elections.
Speaking during an interview on Arise Television’s Morning Show, Oshiomhole maintained that the Senate would not approve the loan without thoroughly examining its details.
The former Edo State governor said lawmakers had a responsibility to demand explanations about how previous loans were utilised and the specific projects the new borrowings were intended to finance.
He also expressed confidence that the Senate, under the leadership of Godswill Akpabio, would not merely endorse the President’s request without proper scrutiny.
Oshiomhole said, “The Senate will scrutinise Tinubu’s fresh loan request. We won’t just approve it like that. We must look at it properly and ensure it is in the interest of Nigerians.”
Meanwhile, Oshiomhole has defended President Tinubu against criticism over his decision not to attend every campaign rally organised by the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The senator argued that the President did not have to be physically present at every campaign event to effectively discharge his responsibilities.
During a television interview on Friday, Oshiomhole also maintained that there was nothing wrong with Tinubu participating in religious activities while continuing to attend to the affairs of the country.
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