*PRESIDENT BUHARI, NAIRA DESIGN EXTENSION & SUPREME COURT INTERIM ORDER.*

A lot of people have expressed opinions in respect Of Mr President broadcast concerning the New Naira redesign Policy of CBN. Many have accused Mr President of disobeying a valid Court interim Order of the Supreme Court. Many have argued, whether Supreme Court is right in issuing the order in the first or not and whether disobeyed Supreme Court order.

As a Public Affairs analyst and Chieftain of APC, Mr President did not disobey the order of the Supreme Court. When this order was issued in the first, as a responsible Government and President. He obeyed the letters of the order while sending his AGF to start a process to vacate the order. Which the Office of the AGF has taken all the necessary action to vacate the order.

Let us take a look at Supreme Court And Their Interim Order Against The FG & CBN - Facts and Falsehoods and Emotion attached to it. I have seen lots of misleading information being peddled by some print media. Everybody is interpreting the order the way it suits his or her narratives. They claimed that the earlier Interim Order by Supreme Court still subsists and operates as injunction against the CBN. By their own reasoning, the old Naira note is still valid and legal tender, due the interim order of the Supreme Court. This is not true to my understanding.

I am not a Lawyer, but I have sufficient knowledge to have read many cases and be involved in a lot of Court processes. The life span of an Interim order is very clear and well stated in law. An Interim Order is usually given to last for 7days. Which in the instant case against the FG & CBN, the first order issued ought to have elapsed on 15th February,2023. This Interim can be renewed after expiration of earlier or first 7days, upon application for renewal. Is this application by oral or written? This is very key to getting to know if Mr President actually disobeyed the Supreme Court order. A current example is the Instant Case Between Governor Wike and PDP. In the Interim order of the Rivers State High Court, the court issued First order restraining PDP from Sacking Wike. The order elapsed and Wike applied properly before the Court for renewal which was granted to him. PDP is bound to obey this particular order. Check the facts of the case as it is now. Application for an extension by Wike camp is by written application.

All I know as a non-lawyer is that Interim orders are quite different from the Interlocutory Injunctions. The Interlocutory Orders are made to last throughout the duration of the case, no matter how long the case may last in court. But in this case, Supreme Court didn’t grant Interlocutory order but an interim Order.

The nature of the Supreme Court order against the federal government or CBN is; Interim Injunction and Duration is 7days.

From the above, as at today, that order has expired. It expired by effluxion of time. The Supreme Court sat on Wednesday being 15th February. They review all the facts before it, but REFUSED to renew their already expired Interim Order. From the proceedings of the Supreme Court, there was no new application before the Justices for the renewal of the Interim order. The Plaintiffs, knew the interim order has expired. They tried to get the Supreme Court to approve renewal for them, they didn’t put in any application before the Justices of Supreme or before the court for renewal.

The question on our minds now is very simple. Did Supreme Court renew the order of the plaintiffs? What did Supreme Court do on the said 15th February, 2023. The Supreme Court did not grant their application for renewal, but rather adjourned the case for 22nd of February for further proceedings and consolidations of all the interested parties in the case.

The legal and natural implications of this scenario is that, there’s absolutely no further Order restraining the CBN from going ahead with its plans, decisions, and full implementation of its new rules and policies in accordance with its constitutional duties.

That is to say, the deadline for the old Naira notes remains irreversible. What it means is that; there’s no legal impediments, no obstacles or restrictions against the CBN from enforcing its rules about the use of the new Naira.

The President in his broadcast did not disobey any Supreme Court order when he said only 200 Naira Note should be allowed back and co-exist with new redesign Naira notes till April. Mr President has litany of SANs in his Cabinet who are in a better position to advise him. He could not have made that broadcast without seeking legal opinion on this issue before the court.

I urge all Nigerians and Banks to give Mr President, APC and CBN the necessary support to make this policy work. There is no time that is right to introduce such policies of Government. Let us endure and co-operate with the Federal Government and APC to get it right. We are passing through a lot. But I believe with the cooperation of everyone, we will get it right. This Policy is not meant to be against anyone.

Paschal Candle is a Public affairs analyst writes from Benin city, Nigeria.

Babbling of unwise is full of scorns

APC had failed Nigeria. All policy they brought in Nigeria always caused pains and suffering

Nigerians are very stubborn set of people!

You were given 3months notice to deposit your old note but, refused believing there most be extension of deadline.

If Buhari like, let him extend the deadline to the next 10years, some people will still wait for die minute.

Is only dull brains that doesn't know that El-rufai is fighting for his personal pocket.