The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Godwin Emefiele, has been dragged before a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory by the plaintiff, Olalekan Popoola, who is seeking his imprisonment for failing to immediately obey the order of the Supreme Court over naira redesign policy. In suit number CV/2757/2023, the plaintiff is seeking an order of the court committing Mr Emefiele to prisons for having disobeyed the interim order and judgment of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in Appeal No: SC/CV/162/2023.
Popoola prayed the court to declare that any subsequent compliance by Mr Emefiele with the interim orders and judgment of the Supreme Court does not operate to exculpate him of the earlier disobedience of the interim orders and judgment of the Supreme Court. The plaintiff told the court that the CBN governor, while holding office, issued a directive introducing new N200, N500, and N1000 banknotes. The termination date of use of the old N200, N500, and N1000 banknotes was set to be 31st January 2023.
According to the plaintiff, some aggrieved states approached the Supreme Court of Nigeria, whereupon the court made interim orders directing that the old N200, N500, and N1000 banknotes will continue to be legal tender in Nigeria. The Supreme Court also delivered its judgment in Appeal No: SC/CV/162/2023 between Attorney General of Kaduna State & 9 Ors v. Attorney General of the Federation & 2 Ors, that the old N200, N500, and N1000 will continue to be legal tender in Nigeria.
Mr Emefiele, as the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, is the party saddled with the responsibility of complying with the orders of the Supreme Court by ensuring that the old version of 200, 500, and 1000 naira notes shall continue to be legal tender alongside the new or redesigned version until 31 December 2023.
The plaintiff, in the suit, is seeking an order of the court committing Mr Emefiele to prison for his failure to immediately obey the order of the Supreme Court over naira redesign policy. The disobedience of the interim orders and judgment of the Supreme Court by Mr Emefiele has led to the plaintiff seeking his imprisonment as a way to ensure compliance with the court’s orders.
Popoola, the plaintiff, is demanding the imprisonment of Mr Emefiele, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, for his disobedience of the Supreme Court’s interim orders and judgment. The CBN governor’s failure to comply with the orders of the court has led to this legal action seeking to ensure that he is held accountable for his actions