The Socio Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has given a 7-day ultimatum to President Muhammadu Buhari to reveal his plans on obeying the Supreme Court's decision on the validity of the old N200, N500, and N1,000 notes. Naija News recalls that last week, the Supreme Court extended the validity of the old N200, N500, and N1,000 notes till December 31, adding that the president's directive on the redesign of the new notes without due consultation is invalid. Speaking via a letter signed by the director of the group, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP noted that the public was largely interested in the moves the presidency and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) were taking to obey the court order.
The organization noted that disclosing the plans being made to obey the court orders would enable the citizenry to closely monitor and examine the level of compliance and subsequently improve accountability.
The letter reads, "There is an overriding public interest in disclosing the details of the measures your government and the CBN are taking to effectively and satisfactorily obey the Supreme Court decision." Disclosure of the actions your government and CBN are taking to implement Supreme Court decisions will also allow Nigerians to monitor and verify the level of compliance with the decisions.
"The public should not be kept in the dark about what your government and the CBN are doing to implement decisions. It will also increase public confidence in governance and democracy."
Additionally, the group has warned that it will take legal action against the federal government if the requested information is not provided within seven days. The group said it was concerned about the government's consistent failure to comply with court orders. They argued that disobedience led to violations of civil rights.
"We are pleased that the requested information and recommended actions will be implemented within seven days of receipt and/or posting of this letter. If we do not hear from you by then, SERAP will take all appropriate legal action to compel your government to comply with our request.
"Your government's implementation of the CBN's policy of reshaping the national currency has contributed to the violation of civil rights.
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