Protesters storm CBN HQ, reject s’court ruling on old naira notes deadline

Protesters have besieged the headquarters of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the office of the attorney-general of the federation (AGF) over a ruling of the supreme court on the deadline for use of old naira notes.

A seven-member panel of the apex court led by John Okoro, on Wednesday, temporarily restrained the federal government from restricting the use of the old naira notes after February 10.

The ex parte application was filed by governors of Kaduna, Kogi, and Zamfara states.

Speaking with reporters in Abuja, Obed Agu, one of the leaders of the protesters, said President Muhammadu Buhari should issue an executive order maintaining the aforementioned date as the deadline for the use of old naira notes.

Agu also said the ruling was “not legal”, adding that by the injunction, the apex court would enable politicians to buy votes.

“We call on President Muhammadu Buhari to issue an executive order for the February 10th deadline and prevent further extension,” he said.

“The supreme court wants to aid corrupt politicians to buy votes.

“The supreme court ex parte application has no legal basis. We are rejecting it, because it is a plot to open the bank vaults to enable vote buyers and holders of illicit wealth to have cash to buy votes.

“We ask the CJN to hurriedly vacate the ex parte order in the overall interest of the Nigeria election.

“We have suffered a lot in the hands of the supreme court in undermining any effort for credible election. The supreme court voided the card reader which aided and increased official election result rigging.”