The federal government has requested that the supreme court reject a lawsuit filed by three states challenging the February 10 deadline set by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to terminate the usage of old naira notes.
The attorney general of the federation (AGF) argued in a preliminary objection filed by his attorneys Mahmud Magaji and Tijanni Gazali on Wednesday that the supreme court lacked the authority to hear the matter.
The AGF argued that “the plaintiffs have similarly failed to demonstrate a valid cause of action against the defendant.”
A seven-member panel of the country’s highest court, led by John Okoro, found in favor of a complaint filed by the states of Kaduna, Kogi, and Zamfara to prohibit the federal government from enforcing the February 10 deadline for the use of old naira notes.
In its judgement, the supreme court temporarily enjoined the federal government from outlawing the old naira notes, pending the outcome of the lawsuit.
In a motion ex-parte filed with the Supreme Court, the three states are requesting a temporary restraining order to prevent the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) from terminating the timeline within which the old N200, N500, and N1000 notes will no longer be lawful money.
Since the policy’s release, according to the plaintiffs, there has been a severe shortage of fresh naira notes in their states.
They said that citizens who have deposited their old currency notes are finding it increasingly difficult, if not impossible, to access the new notes for daily use.
In addition to the unavailability of new currency, the plaintiffs argued that the federal government’s warning time was inadequate.
However, in response to the complaint, the AGF argued that the suit should have been filed before a federal high court rather than the supreme court, as the plaintiffs had done.
The notification states, “The plaintiffs’ lawsuit concerns the authority granted to the Central Bank of Nigeria under the Central Bank of Nigeria Act of 2007 to recall its banknotes and issue fresh ones.”
“By virtue of the subject matter and parties, this case comes under section 251(1)(a)(p)(q) & (r) of the Constitution (exclusive jurisdiction of the Federal High Court).
“This lawsuit is an abuse of the legal system.
It is in the best interest of justice to dismiss this case.
That there will be no harm to the plaintiffs if this preliminary objection is upheld.
“The plaintiffs have no dispute with the Federation of Nigeria.”
This lawsuit has shown no issue that invokes this court’s original jurisdiction as provided by the Constitution.
“This lawsuit is an abuse of the legal system.
The plaintiffs lack the legal standing to file this lawsuit.
The plaintiffs have no legitimate claim against the defendant.”