The absence of former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, and his counsel, Olalekan Ojo, SAN, on Thursday, July 16, 2026, stalled the continuation of his trial before Justice Maryanne Anenih of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), High Court, Maitama, Abuja, over the alleged unlawful redesign of the naira.

At the resumed proceedings, prosecution counsel, Abbas Mohammed, informed the court that the defendant and his counsel were absent.

“My Lord, the defence and the defendant are not in court. We received today’s date from the court registrar. Our witness, PW9, is present in court, as well as another witness from the Federal Ministry of Finance.

“I spoke with learned Silk for the defence, Mr. Olalekan Ojo, SAN, who informed me that they were unaware of the adjourned date.

“In view of the absence of the defendant and his counsel, we respectfully pray the court for another date to enable us to present our witnesses,” Mohammed said.

Justice Anenih subsequently adjourned the matter till October 6 and 7, 2026, for continuation of trial.

Emefiele is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on a four-count charge bordering on alleged disobedience to lawful directives and unlawful acts that allegedly caused harm to members of the public in connection with the controversial naira redesign policy.