Kogi, Kaduna and Zamfara states have finalised arrangements to initiate contempt proceedings against the Minister of Justice who also doubles as the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami (SAN), and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele despite the Monday night’s declaration of the old Naira notes as legal tender.
POLITICS NIGERIA reports that the lead counsel for the three states, Abdulhakeem Mustapha (SAN) disclosed to the press on Thursday that the CBN’s official statement was a mere camouflage to give the impression of compliance.
Recall that weeks ago, the Supreme Court invalidated the Naira redesign policy introduced by the CBN, citing a defective timing and implementation.
Delivering judgment in a suit instituted by three states of the federation, a seven-member panel of the apex court held that the old N200, N500 and N1000 notes remain legal tender until the end of the year.
However, over one week since the verdict, neither the CBN governor nor the Attorney-General of the Federation made any official statement about compliance with the apex court ruling.
The uncertainty about the true status of things prompted traders and businesses across the country to continue rejecting the old currency.
The apex bank’s statement on Monday came few hours after the presidency said the CBN had no reason not to comply with court orders on the excuse of waiting for directives from President Muhammadu Buhari.
But Mustapha dismissed the CBN’s statement as a gimmick, insisting that the apex bank had not complied with the Supreme Court order.
The senior advocate revealed that he had his clients’ instructions to initiate contempt proceedings against Malami and Emefiele.
“The press release made by the Central Bank of Nigeria is just a mere camouflage just to give an impression of compliance. There is nothing like that. And our clients, Kaduna, Kogi, Zamfara, and states have told us that we should go on with the already initiated contempt of proceedings against the Attorney General and the Central Bank Governor.
“The decision of the Supreme Court has not been complied with. They are in contempt of court. We are going to reactivate the already-initiated contempt proceedings. There is a legal process around it,” he told Punch.
On when Nigerians should expect the proceeding to start, he said, “I can confirm to you that we have a clear mandate for our clients to proceed with the already initiated contempt proceedings because it is clear to all and sundry that the CBN is just playing pranks.
“They are not sincere. And they are acting as if they are above the law.
“The constitution is clear that all organs and everybody must ensure that the decision of the Supreme Court is enforced.”
I BELIVE THAT THE INCOMPETENT SADIST Emefele SHOULD RETIRE TO JAIL WHERE HE MUST BE IMMEDIAELY FROM OFFICE FOR THE HARDSHIP PAIN SUFFERINGS AND WOES HE CAUSED Nigerians OVER THEIR HARD-EARNED MONIES.
The duo of Emefiele and Shehu Malami must have thought they belong in the both the CBN and ministry of justice as heads respectively for the rest of their lives.
THEY MUST BE MADE TO FACE THE SONSEQUENCES OF THEIR THOUGHTLESS INSESITIVE ACTIONS AND FORCED TO DANCE TO THE MUSIC THEY COMPOSED AND PLAYED.