Buhari Denies Emefiele, Says CBN Has No Reason Not To Obey Court Order On Naira Redesign

Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity has in a statement said the President never told the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami; and the CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele to disobey any court orders involving the government and other parties.

VerseNews Nigeria earlier reported that the Supreme Court of Nigeria had on Friday March 3 declared that old N200, N500 and N1000 notes valid legal tenders

Justice Emmanuel Agim while giving his judgement said “there is no justification to the limitation of money in circulation and the disobedience of president Buhari is a sign of failure of our democracy.”

Despite the court order, banks and Nigerians have failed to accept the N500 and N1000 old notes as legal tender insisting that President Muhammadu Buhari or Emefiele should give a confirmation address on the subject matter.

However, the statement argued that the Buhari has no intention to obstruct the administration of justice in the country or interferes with the responsibilities of the Apex bank.

It therefore urged the general public to stop negative campaign and personalised attacks against the President by the opposition and all manner of commentators is unfair and unjust.

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The statement reads: “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.”

“negative campaign and personalised attacks against the President by the opposition and all manner of commentators is unfair and unjust”.

“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.”