News
As Supreme Court hears naira suit today, Ogun joins govs pushing for post-election deadline
There are indications more governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC) states will file for joinder in a suit at the Supreme Court seeking to extend indefinitely the February 10 deadline for the use of the old N200, N500 and N1,000 notes.
Indeed, the grand plan, it was learnt, was to push the deadline to post-election date in order to have an opportunity to use the old notes during the election (vote buying).
As hearing in the case begins today, Ogun State Government has also filed a separate application to be joined in the Supreme Court suit.
Some state governments are said to be warming up too, all aimed at frustrating the Federal Government and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) from stopping the use of the old naira notes, especially since the new notes are not sufficiently available.
Three state governments, Kaduna, Kogi and Zamfara, which instituted the suit, got the Supreme Court to suspend the February 10 deadline last week until the determination of the substantive suit.
The suit has been joined by Ondo, Kano, Ekiti states, and now Ogun State.
Rivers, according to a Thisday report, is also indicating its preparedness to join.
It also quoted sources at the Federal Ministry of Justice as saying that the design of the state governors joining the Supreme Court suit was to delay the judgement and have the old currency run till after the elections.
One of the sources, who pleaded to remain anonymous had said, “It is the design of the governors, who are adding many joinder suits, to delay the judgement and try to keep the state of affairs whereby the old currency would continue to be in use, while they lobby Supreme Court justices so that they cannot reach a judgement, and to push the Supreme Court decision on this matter until after the presidential election.
“They want to use the cash for the presidential election. So, they are adding more joinder suits to delay the outcome of the judgement so that the two currencies can work together. So, what we see is that the vote-buyers are fighting back.”
The Supreme Court being the final court in the country joined in the matter which had generated intense controversy, when it last week halted the federal government from proceeding to stop the use of the old banknotes from February 10, 2023.
Justice John Okoro, who gave the restraining order against the federal government, held that the order would subsist until today, when it would hear the case of the aggrieved states.
The action of the apex court was sequel to an exparte application brought before it on February 3, by the Attorneys-General of Kaduna, Kogi and Zamfara states.
Since its order on February 8, the apex court has come under heavy knocks by some critics of the administration for venturing into what they believed was the exclusive of the executive, although some others including senior lawyers saw nothing wrong in the action of the apex court since the order made was a temporary one.
When the matter comes up today, it would be expected that the issue of jurisdiction which is very crucial in any case must first be resolved.
More worrisome is the issue of enforceability of the said order, which has further thrown the nation into confusion as some commercial banks and businesses despite the order of the apex court and the pledge by the federal government to obey the order have continued to reject the old naira notes.
Also, lawyers and litigants are being prevented from filing court processes at the Lagos High Court, as officials insisted they would only accept new naira notes.
In the suit marked: SC/CV/162/2023 and filed on February 3, plaintiffs are seeking among other things, a declaration that the demonetisation policy of the federation being currently carried out by the CBN under the directive of the president was not in compliance with the extant provisions of the constitution and CBN Act, 2007 and actual laws on the subject.
Besides, plaintiffs wanted a declaration that the three-month notice given by the federal government through the CBN under the directive of the president, the expiration of which was expected to render the old banknotes inadmissible as legal tender, was in gross violation of the provisions of Section 20(3) of the CBN Act 2007, which specifies that reasonable notice must be given before such a policy.
Although, Mr. Mahmood Magaji, SAN, the lawyer representing the AGF who was the sole respondent in the suit, was present during the hearing and subsequent grant of the ex parte application he however filed the government’s objection to the suit.
The Federal Government in the Notice of Preliminary Objection dated February 8, claimed that the Supreme Court lacked the necessary jurisdiction to entertain the suit in the first place.
According to their argument, the plaintiffs ought to have commenced the suit before a Federal High Court and not at the Supreme Court.
Besides, the respondent argued that “the plaintiffs have equally not shown reasonable cause of action” against it.
Besides the objection, the AGF, Abubakar Malami also stated that the federal government would take steps to vacate the order when the court resumes, on the grounds that the law allows the government to challenge any order that it is not pleased with and that the government will do so in this instant case by the instrumentality of the law.
Meanwhile, Ogun State Government, in a Motion of Notice filed by its counsel, Afe Babalola and Co, on February 13, sought to be joined as 4th plaintiff/applicant, in a suit number SC/CV/162/2023.
The applicant in the notice further stated that it sought to be a co-plaintiff for the just and effective determination in the suit instituted by the other three plaintiffs.
The plaintiff also notified the Supreme Court that it would rely on all the processes already filed in this action in addition to the affidavit in support of the application.
Listing 13 grounds upon which the application was predicated, the plaintiff submitted among others, that the implementation of the Federal Government-sanctioned policy had thus far negatively affected the citizens all over the federation which includes Ogun State, and left several residents of the state stranded, cash strapped and frustrated leading to riots, grievous interruption of commercial activities, and a gradual economic downturn in the state.
“The implementation of the policy has totally paralyzed and brought to standstill the economic activities of Ogun State and also severely impaired the government’s ability to deliver on its economic agenda to the people,” it stated.
News
INEC Warns ADC Against Holding Convention Without Supervision
INEC Warns ADC Against Holding Convention Without Supervision
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has cautioned the African Democratic Congress (ADC) against proceeding with its planned congresses and national convention without proper supervision and in defiance of an existing court order.
Chairman Joash Amupitan issued the warning during an interview on Arise TV on Friday, after the ADC insisted on going ahead with its convention despite INEC’s derecognition of the leadership faction linked to David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola.
Amupitan stressed that INEC’s actions were guided by legal considerations, particularly a subsisting court order restraining the ADC from taking steps that could undermine ongoing legal proceedings. “Don’t do anything. Don’t take any step that will render any proceeding before the court nugatory,” he said.
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He explained that the ADC’s plan to conduct congresses and a national convention is already part of a pending legal process, with motions related to the activities yet to be determined by the court. Ignoring the court’s directive, he warned, could result in invalidated elections or nullified internal party decisions, citing precedents in Zamfara and Plateau states where failure to comply with court orders affected electoral outcomes.
Amupitan highlighted the risks of repeating past mistakes, stressing that while the ADC is free to act as it chooses, INEC would not risk supervising illegal or unauthorized party activities. He reinforced the importance of adhering to the Electoral Act and judicial directives to ensure that party events are legally recognised and free from future challenges.
The INEC Chairman’s warning comes amid heightened tension within the ADC, with the faction led by David Mark facing derecognition and ongoing litigation over the party’s legitimate leadership. Analysts note that the statement underscores INEC’s commitment to rule of law, legal compliance, and internal party democracy, especially as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections.
INEC Warns ADC Against Holding Convention Without Supervision
News
Presidency Clarifies Why Tinubu Met Plateau Victims Only at Airport
Presidency Clarifies Why Tinubu Met Plateau Victims Only at Airport
The Presidency has clarified why President Bola Tinubu did not leave the airport during his recent visit to Jos, amid public criticism. Officials said the decision was driven by tight scheduling, logistical constraints, and aviation safety concerns.
President Tinubu visited Jos North Local Government Area, where he met with families of victims killed in the Angwan Rukuba attack. Speaking to the bereaved, he said, “You have no light at the airport, and I have to fly back within the next 10 minutes. To the victims, there’s nothing I can give you, whether it’s money in millions, but console you and promise you that this experience will not repeat itself.”
The visit was attended by political supporters, traditional rulers, security operatives, and other stakeholders. However, Tinubu’s airport-only engagement drew criticism, with some accusing him of insensitivity toward grieving families.
In response, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, explained that Tinubu’s schedule on Thursday included receiving Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno at the Presidential Villa before traveling to Iperu in Ogun State. Following a security briefing by Plateau Governor Caleb Mutfwang, the Ogun trip was canceled, and an emergency visit to Jos was arranged overnight.
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Officials said logistical challenges made a town visit impractical. The airport runway does not support night flights, and the road distance from the airport to Jos township is about 40 minutes. These factors made it unfeasible for the President to visit the conflict site, meet victims in town, and return to the airport safely before dusk.
To ensure engagement, representatives of affected communities were brought to a hall adjoining the airport, allowing Tinubu to meet directly with victims, local leaders, and security officials. Among attendees were the Minister of Defence, the Chief of Army Staff, and the Inspector General of Police, who had visited Rukuba to assess security operations.
During the meeting, the President consoled victims, listened to their concerns, and assured justice would be delivered. He also promised the deployment of 5,000 AI-enabled surveillance cameras to monitor the city and enhance the identification and arrest of troublemakers. Furthermore, he invited community leaders to Abuja for additional talks on long-term solutions to recurring violence in Plateau State.
The Presidency described the visit as a strategic, high-level engagement aimed at addressing the root causes of conflict, rather than a symbolic gesture. Officials emphasized that Tinubu’s approach prioritized safety, efficiency, and direct interaction with key stakeholders while adhering to flight and logistical constraints.
Despite the criticisms, the televised meeting was seen as reassuring by residents, signaling the President’s commitment to peace, security, and community-driven solutions in Plateau State.
Presidency Clarifies Why Tinubu Met Plateau Victims Only at Airport
News
Heavy Security Deployed at INEC Headquarters Abuja Amid Planned ADC Protest
Heavy Security Deployed at INEC Headquarters Abuja Amid Planned ADC Protest
Armed security forces on Thursday surrounded the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) headquarters in Abuja as tensions escalated over a planned protest by supporters of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). The move comes amid a deepening leadership crisis within the party, which has split into rival factions, prompting agitation and nationwide attention.
Eyewitnesses reported a strong presence of Nigeria Army personnel, with armoured vehicles stationed at strategic points around the INEC complex in the Maitama district. The Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) also reinforced security, restricting movement and monitoring activities closely to prevent potential clashes.
The heightened security follows INEC’s decision to remove the names of Senator David Mark and former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola as National Chairman and National Secretary of the ADC from its official portal. The commission said this action complied with preservatory orders issued by the Court of Appeal, directing all parties to maintain the status quo until the Federal High Court delivers a final judgment.
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The ADC dispute has created two competing camps: one backing David Mark and the other supporting Nafiu Bala Gombe as acting chairman. Both sides have sent conflicting communications to INEC, further complicating the situation and sparking the threat of protests at the commission’s headquarters.
“The names of the current National Working Committee members led by Senator David Mark… would be removed from the INEC portal pursuant to the order of the Court of Appeal to maintain the status quo ante bellum,” INEC stated, clarifying that it would suspend recognition of any faction until judicial resolution.
Supporters of the ADC have accused INEC of bias and interference in the party’s internal affairs. Civil society groups and political commentators have urged restraint and neutrality from the electoral commission to prevent further escalation of tensions.
Security operatives set up checkpoints and roadblocks around INEC headquarters, with armed personnel maintaining a visible presence. The deployment is viewed as a preventive measure to avert potential clashes or breakdown of law and order while the legal dispute unfolds.
Political observers note that the heavy security presence at INEC highlights the growing intersection of party politics and public order in Nigeria, as the ADC leadership tussle remains unresolved and could influence upcoming electoral processes.
Heavy Security Deployed at INEC Headquarters Abuja Amid Planned ADC Protest
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