February 15, (THEWILL) – The Supreme Court of Nigeria, on Wednesday, adjourned till February 22, hearing in the consolidated suit against the February 10, deadline of the old N200, N500 and N1000 to seize as legal tender
THEWILL reports that three northern States including Kaduna, Kano and Zamfara, had filed the suit at the apex court against the Federal Government, to stop the deadline of the old naira notes.
The three States had urged the apex court to grant them an interim injunction against the Federal Government, either by itself or acting through the CBN, the commercial banks or its agents from carrying out its plan to phase out the old naira notes.
At the last hearing, a seven-member panel of the apex court, led by Justice John Okoro, had temporarily restrained the Federal Government from effecting the implementation of the February 10 deadline.
“An order of Interim Injunction restraining the Federal Government through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) or the commercial banks from suspending or determining or ending on Feb. 10, the time frame with which the now older version of the 200, 500 and 1,000 denomination of the naira may no longer be legal tender pending the hearing and determination of their motion on notice for interlocutory injunction,” the Court held and adjourned until Feb. 15, for hearing of the main suit.
But the Federal Government through the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), filed a preliminary objection against the suit.
While the AGF’s counsels, Mahmud Magaji and Tijanni Gazali (SAN), urged the court to decline jurisdiction on the suit against the CBN policy, they contended that the court of first instance on the matter is the Federal High Court.
“The claims or reliefs are not against the Federation, but the Federal Government and its Agency, the CBN.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria is distinct from the Federation or the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The Plaintiffs have no grievance whatsoever against the Federation of Nigeria.
“This suit has disclosed no dispute that invokes this (Supreme) Court’s original jurisdiction as constitutionally defined”, the counsel’s argued.
At the resumed hearing on Wednesday, other states including Niger, Kano, Ondo, Ekiti, Lagos and Ogun have applied to be joined in the suit against the Federal Government.
While Bayelsa State and Edo applied to be joined in the suit as a respondent.
Court proceedings began with Justice John Okoro, leading a seven-man panel of the apex court.
The apex court, however, adjourned proceedings on the suit to Wednesday, February 22, for continuation of hearing.
About the Author
