Adegboruwa Slams Buhari Over New Directive On Old Naira Notes

A prominent lawyer, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa (SAN), has berated President Muhammadu Buhari over the new directive to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Naija News earlier reported that the President on Thursday directed the apex bank to release old N200 notes into circulation to co-exist with new N200, N500, and ₦1,000 banknotes for 60 days.

The President, however, said old N500 and ₦1,000 banknotes are no longer legal tender in the country.

Reacting to the directive in a statement on Thursday, Adegboruwa said the President has disobeyed the Supreme Court with the new directive to the apex bank.

He stated that the President cannot overrule the Supreme Court, stressing that Buhari flouted the principle of the separation of powers.

Adegoruwa added that the president’s broadcast is sad for the country’s democracy, weeks before the forthcoming general elections.

He said, “There is the separation of powers in a democracy.

“Under Section 235 of the 1999 Constitution, the Supreme Court is the final authority in legal pronouncements in Nigeria.

“Under Section 287(1) of the Constitution, the President is statutorily obliged to obey, enforce and give effect to the decision of the Supreme Court.

“Since he already admitted that the matter is subjudice, the President should not have proceeded to vary the order of the Supreme Court.

“The president and indeed the executive should not give the impression that citizens can brazenly disregard lawful orders of any court, as that will only encourage anarchy and lawlessness.

“It amounts to executive rascality and brazen disregard and contempt of the Supreme Court, for the President to separate the denomination of the old notes for legality. It is not open to the President to choose which portion of the order of the Supreme Court that will be obeyed.

“The President should reverse his directive and add the N500 and N1000 old notes, failing which the Supreme Court should overrule the directive of the President in on February 22 when the case comes up.”