Naira redesign: Buhari absolves self, says ‘I never told AGF, CBN to defy S’Court order’
(Nigeria) President
Muhammadu Buhari has absolved himself of any blame in complying with the March 3,
2023, judgment of the Supreme Court, which invalidated the Central Bank of
Nigeria, CBN, policy, phasing out old N1000
and N500 notes.
Senior Special
Adviser to the President on Media, Mr. Garba Shehu in a statement on Monday,
said: “The Presidency wishes to react to some public
concerns that President Muhammadu Buhari did not react to the Supreme Court
judgement on the issue of the N500 and N1,000 old currency notes, and states
here plainly and clearly that at no time did he instruct the Attorney
General and the CBN Governor to disobey any court orders involving the
government and other parties.
“Since the President was sworn into office in 2015, he has never
directed anybody to defy court orders, in the strong belief that we can't
practise democracy without the rule of law and the commitment of his
administration to this principle has not changed.
“Following the ongoing intense debate about the compliance concerning
the legality of the old currency notes, 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 President is not a micromanager and will not, therefore, stop the
Attorney General and the CBN Governor from performing the details of their
duties in accordance with the law.
“In any case. it is debatable at this time if there is proof of willful denial by the two of them on the orders of the apex court.
*CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele“The directive of the President, following the meeting of the Council
of State is that the Bank must make available for circulation all the money
that is needed and nothing has happened to change the position.
“It is an established fact that the President is an absolute
respecter of judicial process and the authority of the courts.
“He has done nothing in the last eight or so years to act in any way
to obstruct the administration of justice, cause lack of confidence in the
administration of justice, or otherwise interfere or corrupt the courts and
there is no reason whatsoever that he should do so now when he is getting
ready to leave office. The negative campaign and personalised attacks against
the President by the opposition and all manner of commentators is unfair and
unjust, as no court order at any level has been issued or directed at him.
“As for the cashless system the CBN is determined to put in place, it
is a known fact that many of the country’s citizens who bear the brunt of the
sufferings, surprisingly support the policy as they believe that the action
would cut corruption, fight terrorism, build an environment of honesty
and reinforce the incorruptible leadership of the President.
“It is therefore wide off the mark to blame the President for the
current controversy over the cash scarcity, despite the Supreme Court judgement.
The CBN has no reason not to comply with court orders on the excuse of waiting
for directives from the President.
“President Buhari has also rejected the impression that he lacks
compassion, saying that "no government in our recent history has
introduced policies to help economically marginalised and vulnerable groups
like the present administration.”
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