Court Strikes Out N1bn Suit Against Buhari, Emefiele Over Naira Redesign Policy

Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday dismissed a N1 billion lawsuit filed against former President Muhammadu Buhari and ex-Governor of the Central Bank o Nigeria (CBN) Godwin Emefiele over the economic difficulties caused by the 2023 naira redesign policy.

The case, with suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/418/2023, was filed by Abuja-based lawyer Uthman Isa Tochukwu. However, the court struck it out due to a lack of diligent prosecution.

In his ruling, Justice Ekwo stated he was satisfied that the plaintiff had “deliberately abandoned his own case” because of his repeated absence in court without legal representation or any explanation.

Tochukwu had sued Buhari, the Attorney General of the Federation, Emefiele, the Central Bank of Nigeria, and two commercial banks, accusing them of subjecting him to undue hardship during the implementation of the currency redesign.

Represented initially by his counsel, Bala Dakum, the plaintiff claimed that his fundamental rights including freedom of movement and personal dignity were “violently breached.”

He requested the court to award N1 billion in damages against the defendants and to issue an order permanently restraining them from further withholding the old N200, N500, and N1000 notes. He also demanded a public apology from the defendants, to be published in two national newspapers.

However, at the hearing, neither the plaintiff nor his counsel was present, and no justification was provided for their absence.

Counsel to the third and fourth defendants (Emefiele and the CBN), Mr. Chikelue Amasiani, informed the court that since the suit was filed in 2023, the plaintiff and his legal team had not demonstrated any seriousness in pursuing the case.

Justice Ekwo concurred and promptly dismissed the matter.