The Presidency has issued a press release addressing concerns about President Muhammadu Buhari’s alleged non-compliance with a Supreme Court order regarding the N500 and N1,000 old currency notes.
According to the statement released by Senior Special Assistant to the President, Garba Shehu, the President has never instructed the Attorney General and the CBN Governor to disobey any court orders.
Since taking office in 2015, the President has maintained a strong belief in the rule of law and has never directed anybody to defy court orders.
The Presidency wishes to make it clear that the President has not done anything knowingly and deliberately to interfere with or obstruct the administration of justice.
The directive of the President, following the meeting of the Council of State, is that the Bank must make available for circulation all the money that is needed, and nothing has happened to change that position.
The President is a respecter of judicial process and the authority of the courts. He has done nothing to obstruct the administration of justice, cause lack of confidence in the administration of justice, or otherwise interfere or corrupt the courts.
The negative campaign and personalized attacks against the President by the opposition and commentators are unfair and unjust.
As for the cashless system the CBN is determined to put in place, many citizens support the policy as they believe it would cut corruption, fight terrorism, build an environment of honesty and reinforce the incorruptible leadership of the President.
President Buhari has rejected the impression that he lacks compassion, saying that “no government in our recent history has introduced policies to help economically marginalised and vulnerable groups like the present administration.”
The CBN has no reason not to comply with court orders on the excuse of waiting for directives from the President.
