Emefiele printed own version of the Naira different from what Buhari approved – Ex-Director of Operation

Ahmed Umar, a former Director of Currency Operations at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has revealed that the former governor, Godwin Emefiele, proceeded to print a version of the Naira with his own design.

Testifying at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Maitama, Umar highlighted that the features in the design ordered by Emefiele differed from the one approved by former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Regarding the discrepancies, Umar stated, “The design sanctioned by the President included a QR code, which is absent on the currency in circulation.

The portrait was positioned on the right side in the approved design, while the CBN-printed version had it on the left. Furthermore, the number scheme in the approved design differed from what CBN produced.”

On May 15, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned Emefiele on four charges before Justice Maryanne Anenih of the FCT High Court. Emefiele refuted the allegations and was granted bail in the amount of N300 million.