New Naira Policy: Buhari Can Be Prosecuted After May 29 – SAN

President Muhammadu Buhari might be prosecuted for not complying with the order of the Supreme Court over the new naira policy, according to a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Rasheed Adegoke.

The new naira policy which was introduced by the Central Bank of Nigeria has been heavily criticized due to the untold hardship it has subjected Nigerians to in the past two months.

Naija News recalls that most Nigerians had to take their old naira notes to the bank in anticipation of getting the new notes. However, the majority of Nigerians were unable to access the notes.

To make matters worst for most Nigerians, they had to buy the new notes by paying between 10 to 20 percent on every withdrawal.

Due to the hardship the new naira policy has brought to Nigerians, some state governors dragged the federal government to the Supreme Court.

After a series of back and forth, the apex court ruled that the federal government should allow the old notes to remain in circulation until December 31, 2023.

Since the Supreme Court made this order over five days ago, the federal government led by President Buhari has not made an official statement directing the banks to start paying out the old notes.

This is seen as disobedience to the order of the highest court in the land and Rasheed Adegoke (SAN) argued that such disobedience could lead to the prosecution of Buhari after he hands over power on May 29.

When asked during an interview with PUNCH if there was anything that could be done as a form of retribution to the President, the SAN said: “There is. These are impeachable offenses. In a sane society when an incumbent is totally disregarding the rule of law and court orders, the national assembly would have commenced impeachment procedures.

“And when such acts would affect the fundamental rights of the citizens the court might set aside such acts and when he leaves office, he might be exposed to prosecution for violations committed while in office.

“The president does not enjoy immunity for life and that is one of the ways we can start to establish institutions in the country. In Nigeria, we only have strong men and weak institutions. it behooves the three arms of government and other institutions under them to work together to ensure the establishment of strong institutions in the country.

“A good example was when Donald Trump refused to leave the government house and wanted to carry on in defiance of Americans’ decisions. All the institutions withdrew from him without anyone giving specific instructions.

“Right now, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has been declared the winner of the just concluded election, the next thing is that certain paraphernalia of office should be shifting towards him. Buhari by now should be seen that he is being denuded of these things; with this, he would not continue to see himself as the ultimate that can do no wrong.”

Naija News learned that some banks have started paying out the old notes but some traders and most Nigerians are said to be rejecting the notes.