The Supreme Court of Nigeria has heard the 15 state governments controversial suit challenging the demonetisation policy of the Federal Government after it consolidated the suits.
The apex court also heard seven other separate suits filed by Rivers, Ondo, Kano, Niger, Jigawa, Nasarawa and Abia State governments that had different separate reliefs against the demonetisation policy of the federal government.
The plaintiffs in the matters which had almost cripple the economy agreed on Wednesday that the decision of the apex court on the suit filed by Kaduna, Kogi, Zamfara States governments will abide.
Adopting his processes on Wednesday Kaduna state and Kogi State lawyer, Abdulhakeem Mustapha,SAN, urged the apex court to strike out the preliminary objection of the federal government to the suit and grant the reliefs sought by declaring the demonetisation policy unconstitutional, null and void.
He particularly urged the apex court to set aside the President directive on N200,N500 and N1000 old Naira notes.He drew the attention of the apex Court to section 17 (2) (c) of the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria which stated that governmental action shall be humane.
Similar prayer were made by Zamfara, Katsina, Lagos , Cross River, Ogun, Ekiti, Ondo and Sokoto state governments; who were represented by Abiodu Owonikoko SAN, S, C Ologwuorisa SAN,
M.A. Onigbanjo, SAN, Shauibu Aruwa SAN Tunde Afe Babalola SAN, O.O.Olowolafe SAN, Sir Charles Titiloye SAN and Georgina Ude respectively .
Lagos State Attorney General, Moyosore Onigbanjo SAN told the court that the demonetisation policy is adversely affecting the state government. He urged the apex court not to grant audience to the federal government until it comply with the order of the court made on February 8, 2023.
In response Federal government lawyer, Kanu Agabi SAN, who filed a memorandum of conditional appearance and other processes including preliminary objection to the amended originating summons, adopted all his processes.
He also filed a motion on notice praying the court to dismiss Form 48. He also prayed the court to dismiss the entire suit
He said that if the lordship hold that
the matter revolved around Section 20 (3) of the CBN Act , the apex court had no jurisdiction to entertain the matter.
This action can not be commenced at the Supreme Court.They are in a wrong place . He said that the plaintiff made 32 reference to CBN in their originating summons yet the CBN was not join as a party.
Agabi SAN said that the President had acted in order to safe the situation under the numerous powers granted the office by the Constitution.
He said that long before the supreme court made the order, Nigerians , including the Supreme Court were rejecting the Old Naira notes .
Bayelsa and Edo State governments through their lawyers Audu Anuga SAN and Kenneth Mozia SAN respectively adopted their processes in support of the demonetisation policy.
Presiding Justice John Okoro announced that the court would deliver it judgment on March 3,2023.
Education7 months ago
