The federal government said the Supreme Court lacks jurisdiction to hear the suit filed against February 10 CBN deadline on old naira notes.
The states prayed for an order restraining the CBN from ending the use of the old currency notes on February 10 as previously announced by the bank. They cited the sufferings the scarcity of the newly redesigned N200, N500, and N1,000 bank notes had brought upon many Nigerians.
However, the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, argued that the Supreme Court lacks jurisdiction to hear the suit,
Malami maintained that the case is not a dispute between the federation and the state governments, but merely an issue about CBN’s policy. He said the suit is, therefore, not qualified to be taken directly to the Supreme Court for adjudication. “This suit has disclosed no dispute that invokes this (Supreme) Court’s original jurisdiction as constitutionally defined,” Malami said.
According to the AGF, the suit ought to have been commenced at the Federal High Court.
Meanwhile, the AGF’s filings came hours after the Supreme Court granted a request by the three state governments for an order temporarily halting the CBN’s plan to end the use of the old currency notes. A seven-member panel of the court issued an order of interim injunction halting the plan by the CBN to end the use of the old naira notes as scheduled. The court then adjourned the hearing of the main case until Wednesday, February 15.
An accident involving a vehicle, an 18-seater bus belonging to GUO motors, a Sienna car, Toyota Corolla and a Toyota Matrix car occured in the early hours of Thursday on the Kara Bridge axis of Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
Eye witnesses claimed that the trailer rammed the vehicles from behind which led to the Toyota Matrix car falling off the bridge while the Toyota Jeep got seriously damaged.
It was learnt that several other people were injured in the road accident.
The unconscious body of a hawker was also seen lying on the road.
All Progressives Congress Presidential Candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has hailed the Governors of the 36 states for standing on the side of the Nigerian people over the Central Bank new Naira and cashless policies that have subjected the masses to pains.
According to Asiwaju Tinubu, the Governors especially the APC Governors who instituted the suit against the CBN and Federal Government at the Supreme Court acted well on behalf of the hapless Nigerians who have been made to bear the brunt of Naira redesign policy that has been poorly implemented.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday morning in a law suit brought before it by the governments of Zamfara, Kogi and Kaduna States gave an interim injunction against the CBN and Federal Government, allowing the old N200, N500 and N1000 to remain legal tender beyond February 10 deadline until the case is fully disposed.
Following the apex court ruling, Asiwaju Tinubu noted that the governors have saved the country from a needless political and economic crises and miseries which have clearly become the unintended consequences of the monetary policy of the apex bank.
Asiwaju Tinubu noted that the Supreme Court ruling coincided with the advisory of the International Monetary Fund urging for the extension of the deadline for the swap of the old naira notes, going by the problems being experienced across the country in getting the new notes.
“I want to salute the courage of our Governors and most especially the Progressives Governors in APC who acted to save our country from avoidable and dangerous political crises and social unrest which the Central Bank policy on new Naira notes has brought on our country.
“Our country was dangerously careering toward anarchy and political and economic shutdown. But with the Supreme Court interim ruling our country has been pulled back from the precipice. We thank our Supreme Court Justices for ruling wisely on the side of the people who have been subjected to undue agony and pains since this policy was announced.
“The Federal Government and relevant stakeholders can now sit down and work out better framework on how to proceed with the new policy without causing any social and economic disruption and inconvenience to our people. We have examples of other countries that have successfully and seamlessly changed their currencies to learn from.
“Those countries give a long time, at least 12 months to effect the currency change. They do not engage in CBN-like Fire Brigade approach.
“We have seen how a good policy can be poorly implemented to cause unintended problems for the people who should be the beneficiaries. While lessons have been learnt, we must now move on as a country and people with a Renewed Hope for a better tomorrow.
“The sole aim of my running to be the president of our country is to make life better and more abundant for our people and this is an ideal for which I will remain eternally committed to.”
Asiwaju Tinubu called on the CBN to ensure that the Supreme Court ruling is effectively executed by taking all necessary steps to (i) ensure sufficient availability of Naira notes (whether old or new) and (ii) properly sensitising the public on the ruling and the consequent validity of old Naira.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday temporarily halted the move by the federal government to ban the use of the old naira notes from February 10, 2023.
A seven-member panel led by Justice John Okoro, halted the move of the federal government in a ruling in an exparte application brought by three northern states of Kaduna, Kogi and Zamfara.
The three states had specifically applied for 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 February 10, 2023, 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”.
Moving the application on Wednesday, counsel to the applicants, Mr A. I. Mustapha, SAN, had urged the apex court to grant the application in the interest of justice and the well-being of Nigeria.
He stated that the policy of the government had led to an “excruciating situation that is almost leading to anarchy in the land “.
While he referred to a Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) statistics which put the number of people who don’t have bank accounts at over 60 percent, Mustapha lamented that the few Nigerians with bank accounts can’t even access their monies from the bank as a result of the policy.
The senior lawyer further argued that unless the Supreme Court intervenes the situation will lead to anarchy because most banks are already closing operations.
Delivering ruling in the motion, Justice Okoro, held that after a careful consideration of the motion exparte this application is granted as prayed, “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 February 10, 2023, 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”.
He accordingly adjourned to February 15, 2023 for hearing of the main suit.
Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu,SAN, CON has called on the people not to allow the struggle for Southern Presidency to be in vain.
Governor Akeredolu explained that since the North has produced the President for eight years, it is the turn of the South to occupy the Presidency.
He stressed that the nation-wide acceptability enjoyed by the Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is a signal of victory in the coming election.
The Governor spoke at the APC Ondo North Senatorial Campaign Rally held at Methodist Primary School, Owo.
The rally was attended by the Deputy Governor, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa; Speaker of the House of Assembly; Rt. Hon. Bamidele Oleyelogun; Minister of State for Transportation, Prince Ademola Adegoroye; Member of the State Executive Council led by the Secretary to the State Government, Princess Oladunni Odu; Senator Remi Okunrinboye; Hon. Femi Adekambi; State Representative on the board of Niger Delta Development Commission, Hon. Gbenga Edema, among others.
Governor Akeredolu assured that the country will flourish under Tinubu, if elected as the President of the Country.
The Governor stressed that no amount of gimmicks and conspiracy can scuttle the victory of the APC Presidential candidate. He described Tinubu as a man whose time has come.
“Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu is tested and trusted. He has been Governor of Lagos State and we know how he transformed the State. I can assure you, Nigeria will move forward under Tinubu as President.” he said.
The Governor urged the people to go out enmass and vote for the APC from Tinubu to the House of Assembly candidates
Governor Akeredolu called on the people of Owo, Ose and Akoko to vote massively for the Senatorial candidate of the party, Pastor Jide Ipinsagba, adding that his experience in the private sector will help him deliver on his mandate, if elected.
He also urged the people to drum support for the House of Representatives Candidates of the party.
The Governor said Hon. Bunmi Tunji-Ojo; Hon. Timehin Adelegbe; and Asiwaju Adegboyega Adefarati will bring quality representation to the people of their Federal Constituencies.
Governor Akeredolu also campaigned for the candidates of House of Assembly in the Senatorial district.
They are Oluwole Emmanuel Ogunmolasuyi, Owo Constituency 1; Morenike Atinuke Witherspoon, Owo Constituency 2; Olatunji Oshati Maxima, Ose Constituency; Gbogi Emmanuel, Akoko South West Constituency 1; Akeju Bukunmi, Akoko South West Constituency 2; Alaye Adesina, Akoko South East Constituency, Oluwatoyin Victor Japhet Akoko North East Constituency; Hon Bolaji Fatai Atere, Akoko North West Constituency 1 and Taofik Oladele Mohammed, Akoko North West Constituency 2.
The Minister of State for Transportation, Prince Ademola Adegoroye charged the people to vote for the APC. He stressed the need for party members to prioritise party loyalty for progress and development.
Chairman of the party in the State, Engr. Ade Adetimehin said Owo indigenes are known for their roles in standing for justice and equality in the country’s democracy.
He said:”This is Owo. Akeredolu championed the struggle for Southern Presidency. Baba Ajasin championed the June 12 struggle. Another Owo man has championed Tinubu’s presidency. Let us go to our unit, ward and local government. It is time for Yoruba to be President.
“This election is for the Progressive. Our country will move forward under Tinubu. Vote Tinubu and all the Senate, Reps, and House of Assembly candidates under the APC. Don’t sell your votes.
“Akeredolu’s performance will earn APC victory in Ondo state. This vote should be across board, top to bottom. The ideology of our party is Welfarism.”
Adetimehin later received over 500 PDP members in Akoko led by Bada Sunday and Sola Dauda into the APC.
The Governor later presented the flag of the party to all the candidates.
At the rally, a student movement group, under the aegis of Coalition of Youth Group in Ondo North Senatorial District led by the leader, Comrade Abiola Adidas Obanoyen presented two Awards to the Governor in recognition of his courageous interventions and investment in youths.
……Says Riots, Agitations Will Affect Region’s Development
A social-cum-academic group of Oke-Ogun indigenes has called on youths from the area to shun acts that could lead to the destruction of lives and property in the area.
In a statement made available to journalists on Tuesday, the National Coordinator, Oke-Ogun Centrepiece Alliance, Professor Kehinde Yusuf, noted that the major public and private properties destroyed during the EndSARS protests are still being rebuilt today by various communities ravaged by violence.
Yusuf hinted that the violence being witnessed across the country over the scarcity of Nigerian currencies as well as petroleum motor spirit (PMS) should not be allowed to spill to the region where, according to him, human and infrastructural development was just being minimally experienced through the collective efforts of residents and the government.
He called on community leaders and leaders of thought in all the ten local government areas of the region to call the attention of all youths to the consequences of acts that could lead to crisis in the area.
“As tension rises in different parts of the nation over the fuel crisis and currency crisis, let us counsel our different communities to ensure that there is no violence in any part of Oke-Ogun.
“Our region is still struggling for developmental projects that will impact on our people positively, be it in education, health and social infrastructure and human capacity development. We should not allow the efforts of those that have made personal efforts and put their personal resources into achieving these into jeopardy by allowing our youths to be incited to unleash mayhem on our communities.
“Iseyin community is still reeling from the effects of the last EndSARS protest. The community is still building the community police station and other public and private infrastructure that were destroyed, and lives taken then are still being mourned. Let us reflect deeply,” he admonished.
The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria has directed members to suspend all operations across the country.
In a statement signed on Tuesday by chairman of the association, Mohammed Kuluwu, the marketers were also ordered to suspend payment of ordering products from source until further notice.
The association said the decision followed, “the critical situation as it affect our sourcing and selling of product at lost and the action of the authority to impose the selling of product at a lost price on our side.”
ODUDUWA NEWS had earlier reported that the association had appealed to the Federal Government for more time to sell Premium Motor Spirits at the official price of N195 per litre.
A new generation bank in Ekiti on Sunday ran into trouble waters as the Central Bank of Nigeria, uncovered N6 million of new naira notes hoarded by its branch along bank road, Ado-Ekiti.
The Apex bank Deputy Director, Oluwole Owoeye uncovered the hoarded newly redesigned currencies while leading a team of officials on monitoring exercise in the state.
Owoeye accused the bank of deliberately hoarding the new banknotes it had collected from the CBN for almost two weeks.
The Deputy Director who said there was no excuse for keeping the money, saying Deposit Money Banks are sabotaging the apex bank’s efforts in making the new notes available for Nigerians.
His words, “I’m currently at the Bank, Ado-Ekiti as part of this monitoring compliance with the guidelines by CBN. They have six million which they have collected from the bank for almost two weeks. They have not dispensed any. They said they are yet to configure their ATM.
“I don’t know why. I have brought their attention to the penalty clause of one million per day. They have five ATMs. They don’t have any reason for keeping this money.
“The zonal service manager, Mr Tunde Onipede promised that by 10am latest tomorrow (Monday), because I told him by latest 10:00 am I’ll be here and I want to see the machine dispensing this money.
“What is the name again? Olumide Owolabi (Service Manager, Ado) & Motunrayo Babayele. My name is Oluwole Owoeye and I am a deputy director of CBN”.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has confirmed the postponement of the Presidential Rally earlier scheduled to hold at Mapo Hall, Ibadan on Tuesday saying the decision was taken by the Governor Simon Lalong-led Presidential Campaign Council in view of the mood of the nation.
The Oyo state turn of the Tinubu/Shettima state-wide campaign rally had earlier been moved from January 9 to February 7, 2023 and reports have it that arrangement had reached its crescendo when news filtered in from Abuja that the orchestrated event would not hold again as scheduled for this Tuesday.
Confirming the development to our correspondent through a telephone conversation on Monday, the Oyo APC Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, regretted the postponement it which he claimed became inevitable “since the crisis occasioned by the fuel scarcity and federal government’s cashless policy implementation as well as local currency redesigning.
His words; “we regret to announce the indefinite postponement of our presidential rally earlier slated for tomorrow (Tuesday). The decision was taken, apparently, in consideration to the prevailing challenges facing the people and the need to allow President Muhammadu Buhari work around the situation and ensure that normalcy return particularly as it concerns fuel and currency notes crisis.
“At Oyo APC, we were convinced that it was necessary to go ahead with event in order not to play into the hands of some anti-democratic forces who do not want the nation’s general election to go on as scheduled because they feel the outcome of the poll, this time, would produce a new order capable of returning Nigeria to Nigerians.
“Although, a new date is yet to be announced, I can assure the general public that Oyo state will host Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu in no time and it is going to be a huge success. However, we appeal for calm among the citizenry as we must not lose focus on doing all that is necessary to ensure the fruition of the dream to have Tinubu as the next president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.” Sadare stated.
