Politics

Again, Nigeria’s Apex Court postpones hearing on currency redesign. Here are the arguments

Published

1 year ago

February 22, 2023

In Nigeria, the Supreme Court has again adjourned a case filed by some state governments of the federation against the Federal Government challenging the implementation of the naira redesign.

The apex court on Wednesday adjourned the case to March 3 for judgment.

The court last week after a hearing on February 15, seven states joined the three initial states as co-plaintiffs, while Edo and Bayelsa states joined the Federal Government as co-defendants.

The apex court two weeks ago when nullified the High court’s ruling (a lower court) issued two days earlier which stopped the Federal government of Nigeria from extending the deadline for the use of the old ₦200, ₦500, and ₦1,000 notes.

The court, however, refused to join Abia State in the suit on the ground that it came late with its originating summons.

Thus, the plaintiffs in the suit are the Attorneys General (AGs) of Kaduna, Kogi, Zamfara, Ondo, Ekiti, Katsina, Ogun, Cross River, Sokoto, and Lagos states while the defendants are the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), as well as the AGs of Bayelsa and Edo states.

Counsel for the Federal Government, Kanu Agabi, argued that the Supreme Court held that all reliefs are rooted in section 20 of the CBN Act, therefore, the apex court has no jurisdiction to hear the suit as the action cannot commence with an Originating Summons.

The defendant queried why the CBN governor wasn’t added as a respondent in the case despite the reference He wondered why the plaintiffs did not bring the CBN governor to court as a respondent, after making reference to him 32 times in their Originating Summons.

The defendants further argued that the bank notes in contention, ₦1,000, ₦500, and ₦200 notes were already been rejected before the President’s directive, adding that the President is not in violation of the Supreme Court order as under the constitution, the President is empowered to veto any legislation.

Along with FG’s position, Counsel to Edo, Bayelsa, and Rivers States, also agree that the suit is dismissed for lack of jurisdiction.

Meanwhile, the plaintiff argued that President Muhammadu Buhari erred by sidelining members of the National Economic Council and only relied on the advice of the CBN governor in the implementation of the monetisation policy.

He added that the President decided to exercise his powers without consulting with the state governments as required by the law.

He further said that they have a security report that there will be a breach of law and order if nothing is done to address the issue of cash scarcity.

Nigeria’s presidential elections are three days away and it has been said in some quarters that the redesigning of the country’s currency and the limited supply of the new notes is a deliberate plot by the outgoing president Buhari, who has vowed to deliver a free and fair election to frustrate “vote buying” which has been characteristic of recent elections in Nigeria.

Related Topics:CBN Featured Naira redesign Nigeria

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Politics

Again, Rwanda denies it attacked displaced persons in DR Congo

Published

3 hours ago

May 4, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

For the sixteenth time, Rwanda refuted US charges on Saturday that its troops attacked a camp for internally displaced persons in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), placing the blame instead on militants it claimed were backed by the military of the Congo.

The US State Department released a statement in which it vehemently denounced the incident that claimed at least nine lives on Friday.

There have been persistent accusations against Rwanda of providing support to the armed organizations, which has resulted in diplomatic tensions between the neighbours in East Africa.

Citing the threat that Rwanda’s surface-to-air missile systems posed to civilians, U.N. and other regional peacekeepers, aid workers, and commercial aircraft operating in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the US demanded in February that Rwanda remove its systems and all of its armed forces from the DRC immediately. Rwanda denies providing any assistance to the rebels.

According to the U.S. statement, the M23 rebel group, which Rwanda supports, and the Rwandan Defense Forces (RDF) held the positions from which the attack was launched. The United States is “gravely concerned about the recent RDF and M23 expansion” in eastern Congo.

Speaking on behalf of the Rwandan government, Yolande Makolo refuted claims that the RDF was responsible for the attack, blaming instead rebels backed by the Congolese military.

“The RDF, a professional army, would never attack an IDP (displaced persons). Look to the lawless FDLR and Wazalendo supported by the FARDC (Congolese military) for this kind of atrocity,” she said in a post on X.

Wazalendo is a Christian sect, while the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) is a Hutu organization that was founded by Hutu officials who left Rwanda after planning the 1994 genocide.

Thousands of people from the surrounding areas have fled to Goma in eastern Congo as a result of the M23 rebels’ two-year offensive, which has advanced toward the city in recent months.

Politics

Liberia: President Boakai signs order to create war crimes court

Published

4 hours ago

May 4, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

To provide long-overdue justice to those who suffered grave injustices during the two civil wars that raged in Liberia, President Joseph Boakai has signed an executive order to establish a war crimes court. Boakai granted his final approval and congratulated the lawmakers for their effort in the legislation.

Many atrocities, such as rape, massacres, and the use of child soldiers, occurred during the wars that lasted from 1989 to 2003. A special court was eventually ordered to be established to try those who were deemed to be at fault by the Truth and Reconciliation Committee.

President Boakai proposed a resolution to create a special court, which was later backed by Liberia’s lower house and senate.

“The conviction that brings us here today is that, for peace and harmony to have a chance to prevail, justice and healing must perfect the groundwork,” Boakai said in a special address.

Activists and civil society organizations that have demanded greater justice for crimes committed during the conflicts that claimed the lives of almost 250,000 people have praised the initiative.

With support from global organizations like the UN, the court would function in Liberia under international norms once it was operational. Economic offences will also be handled by it.

Meanwhile, some in Liberia are against its development, arguing that it could weaken the amnesty law that was already in place and cause old grievances to resurface. This helped put a stop to the violence.