The Supreme Court of Nigeria on Wednesday held a brief hearing as regards the case on the naira swap policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
Present in court today for the hearing were governors Yahaya Bello of Kogi state and Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State, alongside a retinue of Senior Advocates of Nigeria.
Speaking after the case had been adjourned to Wednesday, February 22 for hearing of the consolidated suits by 10 states, Governor Bello told newsmen that he and El-Rufai were present to ensure that justice is obtained for the masses who are suffering the brunt of the policy at this time.
“We are in court because Nigerians are suffering as a result of this CBN muddled-up cashless versus currency redesign policy, that is why we are here today,” the governor asserted.
Governor Bello also disclosed that the understanding from court proceedings today suggest that the order made by the honorable justices still subsists up till Wednesday February 22 when the matter will be heard.
This he said in reference to an injunction by the court, temporarily banning the implementation of the February 10 deadline of the CBN from making the old N200, N500 and N1,000 notes legal tender.
Bello on behalf of his colleagues urged Nigerians to stay alive by maintaining peace, law and order, adding that by killing each other, nothing will be achieved as regards changing the policy to suit everyone and easy the sufferings being encountered at this time.
In his opinion, this is just a temporary setback for the citizens of Nigeria. He further enunciated that the governors are not against the redesign policy initiated by the Buhari-led government, but are only questioning the implementation.
Governor Bello was of the opinion that the implementation of the policy is being questioned to ensure that Nigerians have life and use their money as they deem fit.
While stressing that Nigerians may choose to keep their wealth as they like, the governor said nobody should compel anyone to open a bank account against their wish.
Buttressing his point, the Kogi State governor said every Nigerian must have the liberty to live freely in the society, adding that in the end, when the matter has been concluded, Nigeria alone shall win.