Naira Recolouring: Buhari regime breached Constitution, says Femi Falana
Human rights lawyer Femi Falana has criticised President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration for failing to propose a money bill to the National Assembly before proceeding with the remaking of the country’s currency.
The senior advocate argued in a statement titled ‘Presidential endorsement not sufficient to legitimise naira redesign’ that the Constitution requires Mr Buhari to present a Money Bill for the withdrawal of funds that will be used to print the recoloured notes because it was not included in the 2022 appropriation bill.
He contended that the move could be found illegal by the court since the Buhari administration failed to present a supplementary bill to the National Assembly authorising the withdrawal of public cash from the account to be utilised for printing the new notes.
“The official endorsement is not sufficient as the President is mandatorily required to present a Money Bill to the National Assembly for the withdrawal of the billions of Naira from public fund earmarked for the printing of the new Naira notes,” the statement by Mr Falana read.
He argued that the “Constitution requires ‘an appropriation bill or supplementary bill including any other bill for the payment, issue or withdrawal from the Consolidated Revenue Fund or any other public fund of the Federation of any money charged thereon or any alteration in the amount of such payment, issue or withdrawal…”
“Since the fund for the printing of the new Naira notes is not captured in the 2022 Appropriation Bill the President is advised to prepare and present a supplementary bill to the National Assembly to authorise the withdrawal of public funds from any Account of the Federation for printing the new Naira notes. Otherwise, the printing of the new Naira without appropriation by the National Assembly may be declared illegal and unconstitutional if it is challenged in a court of competent jurisdiction,” Mr Falana argued.
Finance minister Zainab Ahmed had similarly criticised the apex bank’s decision, claiming that it was made in isolation and without the knowledge of the finance ministry.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
States
GOC charges troops to sustain operational successes recorded in Kogi, environs
Mr Mahmuda commended the officers and men and urged them to maintain the core values of the army.
Lagos
LAWMA disengages sweepers over alleged illegal waste dumping
The LAWMA boss called for public support for ongoing efforts to achieve a cleaner Lagos.
Hot news Home top
U.S. strikes three Iranian oil tankers after missile attacks on navy warships
CENTCOM said the vessel was struck at multiple critical locations.
States
Fire razes six shops in Kano Wanbai market
Mr Abdullahi said the cause of the fire was traced to a solar system.
NationWide
NCF urges urgent action to save Nigeria’s vultures
NCF warned that illegal killing, trafficking and trade in vulture parts could drive the birds to extinction.
Abuja
Hospital denies involvement in alleged organ trafficking
He admitted that Mr Hassan’s operation was performed at the hospital.
