The President of the federal republic of Nigeria, General Muhammadu Buhari said it was not in his character to ask his aides to disobey court orders involving the government and other parties.
The president’s spokesman, Garba Shehu, said in a statement on Monday night that since President Buhari took office in 2015, he has never ordered anyone to disobey court orders because he is a firm believer that democracy cannot be practiced without the rule of law, and his administration’s commitment to this principle has not changed.
According to him: “Following the ongoing intense debate about the compliance concerning the legality of the old currency notes, the Presidency therefore wishes to state clearly that President Buhari has not done anything knowingly and deliberately to interfere with or obstruct the administration of justice.
“The President is not a micromanager and will not, therefore, stop the Attorney General and the CBN Governor from performing the details of their duties in accordance with the law. In any case. it is debatable at this time if there is proof of willful denial by the two of them on the orders of the apex court.
“The directive of the President, following the meeting of the Council of State. is that the Bank must make available for circulation all the money that is needed, and nothing has happened to change the position.
“It is an established fact that the President is an absolute respecter of judicial process and the authority of the courts.
“He has done nothing in the last eight or so years to act in any way to obstruct the administration of justice, cause lack of confidence in the administration of justice, or otherwise interfere or corrupt the courts and there is no reason whatsoever that he should do so now when he is getting ready to leave office,” the Presidential aide stated.
The president’s spokesman stated that the opposition and various commentators’ negative campaign and personal assaults against the president were unfair and wrong because no court order of any kind has been issued or targeted at Buhari specifically.
Regarding the cashless system the CBN is determined to implement, Shehu said it is a known fact that many of the people in the country who experience the greatest suffering surprisingly support the policy because they think it will reduce corruption, fight terrorism, foster an environment of honesty, and support the President’s incorruptible leadership.
“It is, therefore, wide off the mark to blame the President for the current controversy over the cash scarcity, despite the Supreme Court judgement.
“The CBN has no reason not to comply with court orders on the excuse of waiting for directives from the President,” he added.
President Buhari has also rejected the impression that he lacks compassion, saying that “no government in our recent history has introduced policies to help economically marginalized and vulnerable groups like the present administration.”
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