Obey Supreme Court’s New Naira Ruling, NBA Begs FG

 

 

 

touchaheart Nigeria reports that the National Bar Association has denounced the federal government’s position about its naira reform strategy.

 

The association demands adherence to the ruling made by the Supreme Court in suit no: SC/CV/162/2023, which was handed down on March 3. The statement is signed by the association’s president, Yakubu Maikyau.

 

The NBA acknowledged that following the naira redesign strategy, it had extensive consultations with significant national stakeholders in order to gauge the potential effects of the policy on the nation’s economy and population.

 

Concerns of Nigerians after January 31, 2023 have not been addressed by the CBN’s cash swap scheme, according to the group of lawyers, which went into force on January 23, 2023.

 

The letter stated in  part

 

“It is sad and disheartening that the Federal Government and its agency, the CBN, will remain so adamant about the plight of Nigerians as a direct consequence of the implementation of the Naira Redesign Policy, in spite of several interventions for review thereof in order to alleviate the sufferings of Nigerians, leading to the damning remarks and orders by the Supreme Court as quoted above.”

 

Unfortunately, despite the Supreme Court’s unequivocal judgment that the program was unfair and deceptive, the Federal Government refused to change course. The Supreme Court went so far as to say that the President’s actions were not only disrespectful of the Court but also a threat to the Rule of Law and the continued existence of our democracy.

 

I applaud the Supreme Court’s ruling in this case because it speaks to the Court’s need to uphold the Rule of Law and the integrity of the Court, as well as its responsibility to the people. The Supreme Court has established its legitimacy as the court of the Nigerian people by this decision.

 

The legal profession, especially the judiciary, must rise to the occasion whenever public trust in the other branches of government starts to dwindle by dispensing justice with such bravery and dexterity as to comfort the populace. The Supreme Court acted in this manner in this case with great boldness and daring.

 

There is no choice but to follow the instructions that the Supreme Court has given the Federal Government for the good of the people. According to the Constitution, the President must follow and carry out the ruling of the Supreme Court.

 

The NBA cited Section 287 (1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) to say that “the decisions of the Supreme Court shall be enforced in any part of the Federation by all authorities and persons, and by Courts with subordinate jurisdiction to that of the Supreme Court.

 

The statement went on to say that unfounded and fictitious claims of judicial wrongdoing may be to blame for Nigerians’ less-than-enthusiastic attitude toward the judiciary.

 

But, the reality is that in order to safeguard our rights as citizens and ensure public life’s probity, we must continue to view the judiciary as the only and last resort. The Supreme Court has made decisions on behalf of the people of this country and has properly given the Executive ORDERS that must be followed.

 

It was noted that

 

“our form of democratic administration has come to stay; it must not only be recognized by all and sundry but also be zealously guarded and preserved.” It was mentioned that the country cannot, under any pretense, allow or tolerate any appearance of autocracy or tyranny.

 

The Administration cannot afford to disobey the Supreme Court’s rulings, which were made with the interests of the people who elected it in mind. This is the biggest test or challenge to our constitutional democracy.

 

 

The NBA then urged the President to immediately order adherence to the conditions set forth in the Supreme Court’s judgment, which was delivered on March 3, 2023, and reaffirmed its commitment to the promotion, enshrinement, and respect for the Rule of Law, the Court’s integrity, and the independence of the judiciary.

 

The NBA will defend the Rule of Law, the Court’s integrity, and the independence of the judiciary from any actions that aim to do so.