A seven-member panel justices of the Supreme Court today stated that its February 8 order barring the Federal Government and its agencies from enforcing the February 10 deadline for the use of old 200, 500 and 1000 naira notes still stands.

The court made this known on Wednesday while reacting to an extension order request by counsel to Kaduna, Kogi and Zamfara states, Abdulhakeem Mustapha (SAN).

According to him, the Federal Government and its agencies have failed to comply with the order of the apex court.

Mustapha noted that the plaintiff filed a notice of non-compliance asking the court to take action against the respondent. “That order has been flouted by the government. We are talking of executive lawlessness here. We have filed an affidavit to that effect. We want the court to renew the order for parties to be properly guided.”

Responding, the presiding justice, Justice John Okoro urged Mustapha to do the needful and file a proper application.

Okoro stated that there was no need for a renewal of the court’s order. According to him “An extension is not necessary, because the order granted was to last till the hearing of the Motion on Notice.

“An order of interim injunction restraining the Federal Government of Nigeria, either by itself or acting through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and/or the commercial banks, its agents; agencies, corporations, ministries, parastatals, organizations or through any person or persons (natural and artificial) howsoever, from suspending or determining or ending on the 10th of February 2023 the timeframe within which the now older versions of the 200, 500 and 1000 denominations of the naira may no longer be legal tender, pending the hearing and determination of the plaintiffs/applicants’ motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.”

While Abdulhakeem Mustapha (SAN) announced appearance for Kaduna State Government, Damian Dodo (SAN) represented Bayelsa State, seeking to be joined in the matter as co-defendant. He said the application was filed last Friday.

Edo State also joined as co-defendant with the federal government.

Kanu Agabi and Mahmud Magaji (both SANs) announced appearance for the federal government.

Barristerng reported that while some state governments led by Kaduna State Government are challenging the deadline for old notes to cease to be legal tender, the federal government joined by Edo and Bayelsa states are in defence of the apex bank.

The CBN had originally fixed January 31 as deadline for old notes to be in circulation but extended it in response to pressure from Nigerians.

However, before the February 10 deadline, Kogi, Kaduna and Zamfara States approached the Supreme Court, seeking that the CBN be restrained from going ahead with the deadline.

The court had directed the CBN to rescind its decision pending the hearing of the suit On February 15, but apex bank insisted on the deadline, saying on Tuesday that there was no need for another extension.

The panel fixed all the suits for hearing on Wednesday, February 22.