Summary:
- The Nigerian Presidency has issued a statement responding to concerns that President Muhammadu Buhari had instructed the Attorney General and Central Bank Governor to defy a Supreme Court judgment on the issue of the N500 and N1,000 old currency notes.
- The statement, released by Senior Special Assistant to the President (Media & Publicity), Garba Shehu, clarified that the President had never directed anyone to defy court orders and that he has a strong belief in the rule of law.
- The statement also addressed ongoing debates about the legality of the old currency notes, the compliance of the cashless system, and the President’s policies to help economically marginalised and vulnerable groups.
- The Presidency reiterated that President Buhari is committed to the rule of law and the administration of justice, and that he has never instructed anyone to defy court orders.
Abuja, Nigeria — The Nigerian Presidency has issued a statement in response to concerns that President Muhammadu Buhari had instructed the Attorney General and Central Bank Governor to defy a Supreme Court judgment on the issue of the N500 and N1,000 old currency notes.
The statement, released by Senior Special Assistant to the President (Media & Publicity), Garba Shehu, clarified that the President had never directed anyone to defy court orders and that he has a strong belief in the rule of law.
In the statement, the Presidency said that since President Buhari assumed office in 2015, he has never directed anyone to defy court orders, and his administration is committed to the rule of law.
The Presidency further emphasized that the President did not deliberately interfere with the administration of justice, and that he is not a micromanager who would stop the Attorney General and Central Bank Governor from performing their duties in accordance with the law.
The statement also addressed the ongoing debate about the compliance concerning the legality of the old currency notes, stating that President Buhari had not done anything knowingly and deliberately to interfere with or obstruct the administration of justice.
The Presidency further noted that the President is an absolute respecter of judicial process and the authority of the courts, and has done nothing to obstruct the administration of justice.
The Presidency also rejected what it described as a negative campaign and personalised attacks against the President by the opposition and other commentators, stating that no court order at any level has been issued or directed at him.
On the issue of the cashless system the CBN is determined to put in place, the Presidency noted that many of the country’s citizens who bear the brunt of the sufferings surprisingly support the policy.
The statement emphasized that it is unfair and unjust to blame the President for the current controversy over the cash scarcity, despite the Supreme Court judgment.
The Presidency further clarified that the President has not directed the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) not to comply with court orders, and that the CBN has no reason not to comply with court orders on the excuse of waiting for directives from the President.
The statement also highlighted that President Buhari has introduced policies to help economically marginalised and vulnerable groups, unlike any other government in recent history.
In conclusion, the Presidency reiterated that President Buhari is committed to the rule of law and the administration of justice, and that he has never directed anyone to defy court orders.
The statement emphasized that the negative campaign and personalised attacks against the President are unjustified, and that the President’s policies have helped economically marginalised and vulnerable groups in the country.
The statement, which is over 600 words, further explained the position of the Presidency on the issue of the N500 and N1,000 old currency notes, and clarified that the President has never instructed anyone to disobey any court orders involving the government and other parties.
