“Comply And Enforce Supreme Court Order On Old Naira Notes” – NBA Tells Buhari

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to comply and enforce the judgement of the Supreme Court on the old naira notes.

KanyiDaily recalls that on March 3, the supreme court ordered that the old N200, N500 and N1000 notes should continue to be used as legal tender until December 31.

In spite of the order, the Buhari-led government and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) are yet to issue official announcements to the public indicating compliance.

In a statement on Monday, March 13, the NBA president, Yakubu Maikyau said the government should direct immediate compliance with th court order extending the validity of old naira notes.

Noting that Buhari’s refusal to adhere to the court order shows a failure of the constitution and democracy, Maikyau expressed concerns over the hardship the Naira redesign policy has imposed on Nigerians.

The statement read, “The supreme court has issued directives to the federal government for the benefit of the people and there is no option other than to comply. The president is under constitutional obligation to comply and enforce the decision of the supreme court,” the statement reads.

“Section 287 (1) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) provides that the decisions of the supreme court shall be enforced in any part of the federation by all authorities and persons, and by court with subordinate jurisdiction to that of the supreme court.

“Nigerians may not be too enchanted with our judiciary, and this may have arisen from unsubstantiated and spurious allegations of judicial misconduct, the fact however remains that we still must look to the judiciary as the only and final resort, to protect our rights as a people and secure probity in public life.

“The supreme court has spoken for the people of this nation and has appropriately issued ORDERS to the executive and the orders of the court must be complied with.

“We cannot under any guise or pretence accept or tolerate any appearance of autocracy or dictatorship. Our system of democratic governance has come to stay, it must not only be respected by all and sundry but must also be jealously guarded and protected.

“This is the greatest test or challenge to our constitutional democracy and the executive cannot afford to disregard the ORDERS of the supreme court made for the benefit of the people that elected it to power.

“I therefore on behalf of all Nigerians, call on the president to immediately direct compliance with the terms of the orders made by the supreme court in its judgement delivered on 3 of March 2023.

“The Nigerian Bar Association remains committed to the promotion, entrenchment and respect for the Rule of Law, integrity of the court and the independence of the judiciary.

“The NBA shall stand up against any action that seeks to undermine the Rule of Law, the integrity of the court and the independence of the judiciary.”

KanyiDaily had earlier reported that Anambra State Governor, Charles Soludo claimed the CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele, informed him that commercial banks had been instructed to dispense and collect old naira notes from customers.