The Presidency on Monday has said that President Muhammadu Buhari did not instruct neither direct the Attorney General of the Federation, AGF, and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, and the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Godwin Emefiele, to disobey the Supreme Court order on the Naira Notes crisis.
The Presidency also said that CBN had no reason not to comply with court orders on the excuse of waiting for directives from the President.
A statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, stated that President Buhari had never interfered in the activities of the judiciary and had no reason to do that now he has few months to exit from office.In any case, it is debatable at this time if there is proof of willful denial by the two of them on the orders of the apex court.
“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 the position.
“It is an established fact that the President is an absolute respecter of judicial process and the authority of the courts.”
Continuing the Presidency said, “He has done nothing in the last eight or so years to act in any way to obstruct the administration of justice, cause lack of confidence in the administration of justice, or otherwise interfere or corrupt the courts and there is no reason whatsoever that he should do so now when he is getting ready to leave office.
“The negative campaign and personalised attacks against the President by the opposition and all manner of commentators is unfair and unjust, as no court order at any level has been issued or directed at him.
“As for the cashless system the CBN is determined to put in place, it is a known fact that many of the country’s citizens who bear the brunt of the sufferings, surprisingly support the policy as they believe that the action would cut corruption, fight terrorism, build an environment of honesty and reinforce the incorruptible leadership of the President.
“It is, therefore, wide off the mark to blame the President for the current controversy over the cash scarcity, despite the Supreme Court judgement.
“The CBN has no reason not to comply with court orders on the excuse of waiting for directives from the President.”
President Buhari has also 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.”
Source: Vanguard News
