High Court Summons Police Commissioner and Former Council Secretary in Emefiele Fraud Trial

Abuja High Court summons Jim Obazee and CP Eloho Okpoziakpo to testify in the ongoing fraud trial of former CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele regarding the Naira redesign.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 28, 2026, 6:16 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Politics Nigeria

Judicial Mandate Targets Key Investigators in Central Bank Probe

The legal proceedings surrounding the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, have entered a critical phase following a direct court intervention. Justice Hamza Mu’azu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja issued formal subpoenas on April 27, 2026, compelling the appearance of high profile figures involved in the initial probe. This judicial order specifically targets Jim Obazee, the former Executive Secretary of the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria, and Eloho Okpoziakpo, a Commissioner of Police.

Subpoena Details and Immediate Court Appearance Requirements

The court has mandated that both Jim Obazee and Eloho Okpoziakpo present themselves at the court by 9 o'clock in the forenoon on April 28, 2026. This summon requires their presence from day to day until the cause is fully tried, ensuring that the evidence gathered during their investigation is properly integrated into the trial. The order underscores the necessity of their testimony in resolving the complexities of the amended 20 count charge currently faced by the former central bank head.

Financial Misconduct and the Scale of the Prosecution

At the heart of the trial is an intensive prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, which alleges a massive scale of financial impropriety. The charges against Godwin Emefiele include criminal breach of trust, forgery, and the abuse of his official office, alongside a conspiracy to obtain $6.23 million through false pretenses. This case represents a significant attempt by Nigerian authorities to address high level corruption and the mismanagement of public funds during his tenure.