Naira Swap: Human Rights Lawyer Falana Accuses Buhari’s Government of Disobeying Court Orders

In a recent interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) spoke about the Federal Government’s history of disobedience to court orders. Falana expressed disappointment in the government’s failure to comply with the Supreme Court order regarding the naira swap issue.

He said, “It is very sad. I do hope that this outgoing government would comply with the judgement in totality.”

Falana criticized the Federal Government for not instructing banks to begin the issuance and collection of old banknotes. He expressed his concerns about the government’s actions, saying that this kind of behavior could only happen in a “banana republic.” Falana argued that the government’s failure to comply with the Supreme Court’s order was a sign that they did not want the rule of law to operate in the country.

Falana went on to explain that the Supreme Court had acknowledged the government’s history of disobeying court orders. He urged the outgoing government to comply with the Supreme Court’s judgment in totality, expressing his hope that they would do so before the end of their tenure.

He said, “The Central Bank has not been asked to make a statement allowing banks to comply with the judgement of the Supreme Court. Again, as I said before now, this can only happen in a banana republic.

“You cannot dance around the judgement of the Supreme Court otherwise, you are saying you don’t want the rule of law to operate in your country,” “It is very sad. I do hope that this outgoing government would comply with the judgement in totality.”

“So, we have such cases very many. The Supreme Court order admitted that “this government has a history of disobeying court orders.”

In discussing the conduct of the presidential and National Assembly elections, Falana highlighted some positive developments. He noted that the myth of political structures had been destroyed and that people had shown that they were ultimately the structure. Falana emphasized that the exercise had demonstrated that power belonged to the people.

It is important to note that the Supreme Court recently ruled that the old N500 and N1,000 remain legal tender until December, months after the Federal Government embarked on a currency redesign policy. Falana’s comments on the naira swap issue highlight the importance of respecting court orders and upholding the rule of law in Nigeria. The government must take appropriate steps to ensure compliance with the Supreme Court’s judgment and demonstrate a commitment to promoting justice and fairness.