Posted by Chinenye on Tue 28th Apr, 2026 - tori.ng
The courtroom drama surrounding former CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele has taken a fresh turn as two key figures—Jim Obazee and police commissioner Eloho Okpoziakpo—are ordered to testify in his ongoing fraud trial.
(Former CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele. premium Times)
Jim Obazee, a former executive secretary of the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria, and Eloho Okpoziakpo, a commissioner of police, have been called by the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja to testify in the trial of Godwin Emefiele, a former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria.
In a subpoena dated April 27, 2026, Justice Hamza Mu'azu ordered both men to appear in court on Tuesday, April 28, 2026 (today).
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is prosecuting Emefiele on an updated 20-count accusation that includes allegations of criminal breach of trust, forgery, abuse of office, and conspiracy to obtain $6.23 million under false pretenses.
The court declared in the subpoena that the defendant "had been charged by the Federal Republic of Nigeria… on offences emanating from your investigation.”
The judge ordered the witnesses to attend proceedings and give evidence relevant to the charges.
“You are therefore summoned to appear before this Court on the 28th of April, 2026 at the hour of 9 ‘o’ Clock in the forenoon and so soon thereafter from day to day until the above cause is tried,” the document read.
They were also instructed by the subpoena to "tender newspaper publication relating to Naira redesign."
Both Obazee and Okpoziakpo were involved in the inquiry that resulted in the allegations against the former CBN governor, the court said, and they are anticipated to clarify matters pertaining to the naira redesign strategy.
The subpoenaed witnesses' testimony is anticipated to prolong the trial.