Buhari Didn’t Request That Cbn Defy The Supreme Court About Naira Notes.
According to the Presidency, President Muhammadu Buhari did not ask the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to disregard the Supreme Court’s ruling on the legality of naira notes on Monday.
So, notwithstanding the Supreme Court’s ruling, it is incorrect to attribute the present dispute over the cash shortage on the President. According to the pretext of awaiting directions from the President, the CBN has no justification for refusing to abide with court rulings, according to a statement from Presidential spokesperson Garba Shehu.
“Since the President took office in 2015, he has never ordered anybody to disobey court rulings because he firmly believes that democracy cannot be practiced without the rule of law, and his administration’s adherence to this concept has not altered.
“The Presidency therefore wishes to state clearly that President Buhari has not done anything knowingly and deliberately to interfere with or obstruct the administration of justice,” the statement reads. “Following the ongoing intense debate about the compliance concerning the legality of the old currency notes.”
Ten days after the Supreme Court extended the expiration date for all old naira notes to December 31, 2023, the President responded.
The Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) naira redesign program was criticized by the Supreme Court, which ruled that the execution of the naira notes exchange was illegal and violated the 1999 Constitution.
Notwithstanding the decree, economic activity was halted due to cash shortages in all states and the FCT.
Many believed that Godwin Emefiele, the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, was following the President’s order not to obey the Supreme Court in the midst of the financial crisis and Buhari’s silence.
Nonetheless, the Presidency disassociated Buhari from the cash shortage and the disregard for the Supreme Court’s directive.
The Attorney General and the CBN Governor would continue to carry out the specifics of their jobs in line with the law since the President is not a micromanager, Shehu added.
But whatever. Whether the two of them willfully disobeyed the top court’s directions is still up for debate at this point.
Shehu stated that Buhari had instructed the CBN to make the necessary monies available for circulation after the Council of State meeting.
It is a well-known truth that the President respects the legal system and the judges’ authority, according to Shehu.
“He hasn’t taken any action in the past eight or so years to undermine the administration of justice, undermine public confidence in the administration of justice, interfere with or otherwise corrupt the courts, and there is absolutely no reason for him to take such action now, as he prepares to leave office.
“The opposition’s and all kinds of critics’ negative campaign and personal assaults on the President are unfair and unjust, since no court order of any kind has been issued or aimed against him,” the statement reads.
Asserting that “no government in our recent history has undertaken initiatives to support economically marginalized and vulnerable individuals like the current administration,” Shehu said Buhari rejects the idea that he lacks compassion.
