Naira: ‘Disclose how you’re obeying Supreme Court orders’, SERAP tells Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has been urged by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) to “disclose details of the measures your government is taking to immediately and effectively comply with the Supreme Court decision extending the validity of the old N200, N500, and N1,000 notes, and directing the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to continue to receive the notes from Nigerians.”

He should “publicly advise the CBN to swiftly and effectively enforce the Supreme Court judgement demanding an end to the cash withdrawal limits imposed by banks because such restrictions violate Citizens’ Right to Free Use of Their Property,” SERAP urged.

Furthermore requesting that he “disclose the steps your government is taking to require the CBN to quickly re-circulate the old N200, N500, and N1,000 notes, as mandated by the Supreme Court,” SERAP wrote to him.

“There is an overriding public interest in disclosing the details of the measures your government and the CBN are taking to effectively and satisfactorily obey the Supreme Court decision,” the organization claimed in a letter dated March 4th, 2023 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare.

SERAP claims that by disclosing the steps your administration and the CBN are taking to implement the Supreme Court’s ruling, Nigerians will be able to track and examine the degree of compliance.

The public shouldn’t be in the dark about what your government and the CBN are doing to carry out the decision, according to SERAP. The public’s faith in the rule of law and Nigeria’s democracy would also increase with the wide publication of the implementation measures.

The Supreme Court ordered last week that the old N200, N500, and N1,000 notes will remain legal tender until December 31 and ordered that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) continue to accept the notes from People. The Supreme Court ruled that the president’s order regarding the remodeling of new naira notes.

We would appreciate it if the requested details and suggested actions were carried out within seven days of the letter’s receipt and/or publishing. By that time, if we have not heard from you, SERAP will take all necessary legal steps to force your government to comply with our demands.

“Citizens’ rights have been violated as a result of your government’s implementation of the CBN policy on the redesign of the nation’s currency,” the CBN stated.

“SERAP is concerned about your government’s continued disobedience of court rulings and its apparent disregard for constitutional rights and international rule of law responsibilities.

In the interests of transparency, fairness, and the rule of law, Nigerians have a right to information about the extent to which your government and the CBN have complied with the Supreme Court’s ruling.

The notion that people should have access to information about their government’s activities is one that is reflected in the Nigerian Constitution, Freedom of Information Act, and human rights treaties to which the nation is a state party.

In accordance with the Supreme Court’s directives, the CBN Act, the Nigerian Constitution, and the nation’s international obligations, your government is required by law to take the appropriate action.

Our requests are made in the interest of the general public and in accordance with the Nigerian Constitution of 1999 (as amended), the Freedom of Information Act, the CBN Act, and the nation’s legal duties under international treaties, such as the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

“According to our information, the Supreme Court has ordered that the CBN must continue to accept the old notes from Nigerians and has prolonged the validity of the N200, N500, and N1,000 Naira notes until December 31.”