Nigerian News

Protesters besiege CBN Headquarters over deadline on old naira notes validity

Protesters stormed the headquarters of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Abuja, on Wednesday over the Supreme Court’s ruling on the deadline for use of old naira notes.

The group also staged a protest at the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) making some demands.

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

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

During the protest on February 8, Obed Agu, who spoke on behalf of the demonstrators appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to 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.

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