Wike files fresh suit against FG over naira swap

Wike

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has filed a separate suit at the Supreme Court against the Federal Government on the implementation of the naira redesign policy.

River State Government through its counsel, Mr. Emmanuel Ukala (SAN) stood its ground not to team up with other states, adding that it would prefer to do its case separately.

The state wants the apex court to stop full implementation of the naira policy redesign.

However, six other states, Lagos, Cross River, Ogun, Ekiti, Ondo and Sokoto have joined their counterparts, Kaduna, Kogi, and Zamfara in the legal battle against the Federal Government.

The seven states in their respective motions for joinder pitched their tents with the three aggrieved states that initially ignited the legal battle.

Their joinder motion was moved by Mr. Samuel Ologunorisa (SAN) and was granted by a seven-member panel led by Justice Inyang Okoro who presided over the matter.

Also, Edo and Bayelsa States have pitched their tents with the Federal Government.

Edo and Bayelsa state counsels told the panel of seven-man Justices of the apex court that they are in support of the cashless policy regime and sought to be joined as respondents.

The apex court on Wednesday, February 15, 2023 directed the plaintiffs to amend their originating summons to reflect the name of the six fresh plaintiffs.

The Supreme Court also fixed February 22 for the hearing of the suites filled by some state governors against the Federal Government over the cashless policy by the CBN in old Naira note withdrawal.

Justice Okoro fixed the date after directing all parties involved to amend their processes to reflect the new position of their respective cases.

The Supreme Court had on Wednesday February 8, temporarily stopped the withdrawal of old Naira Notes from February 10.

The Star