A group, Society for the Youth and the Downthroden, SOYD, has expressed displeasure over Federal Government’s declaration of N500 and N1,000 as illegal tender with out regarding the subsisting judgement of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
In a press release issued yesterday by the President, SOYD, Comrade, Ogwuche Gabriel, stated that by this singular act, the Government has created a state of hopelessness among many Nigerians while dragging the authority and image of Nigeria’s Judiciary to the mud.
According to Ogwuche, the Rule of Law was supreme over the activities of the government and governed with no exception whatsoever saying that, “while we remain committed to the business of governance, we can never agree to any policy of government that is unwholesome and insensitive to the institution of Judiciary that provides means of livelihood and security to many Nigerians, especially the common man.”
In his words, “We wish to express our displeasure with the Federal Government of Nigeria over the recent directive of Mr President, declaring N500 and N1000 as illegal tender without regards to the subsisting judgment of the supreme court on the matter.
“We want to know where did The Executive arm of government derived its power to act in these manners, because we feel that the government is operating with laws taken into hand.
“Indeed, no amount of reasons can justify this executive attack on the Judiciary and apex court in particular. The action of Federal Government as relate to the purported directive on the old naira note is not only affront on the supreme court of Nigeria, but amount to diminishing the improved global image of Nigeria as a nation.
“Hence, we condemn the action and urge Nigerians to do same irrespective of political and religious affiliations.”
He explained that, “In all over the world, there are three(3) major ways to professionally handle the Supreme Court’s verdict and we want the government to take note of it in order to stop further embarrassment.
“In the USA for instance, the followings are established; The Judgment of the supreme Court can be reverse, ignored or rejected due to legislative action i.e through the resolution of ad-hoc committee inaugurated for the purpose.
“The Court can decides to overrule its earlier Judgments.
“Through passage of new constitution’s amendment.
“The power of the Supreme Court to give final judgement in any form is absolute, apart from the above listed exceptions.
“Therefore, any directive contrary to the rulings of the Supreme Court, amounts to rejecting the Rule of Law and such act is punishable by law.”
The Youth Advocate added, “In view of the above, we call on the Supreme Court of Nigeria to immediately stay action on all the legal matters before the court and step down all pending cases where the government has interest. This is to protest against this unfortunate act, until the Federal Government of Nigeria apologise. It will be wrong to seek for the indulgence of the law after you have treated it with disdain.”
