The NBA described the Supreme Court’s order as the greatest test to Nigeria’s constitutional democracy, adding that the executive cannot be seen disregarding it.
By Jeffrey Agbo
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has said it would not accept any form of autocracy as it concerns President Muhammadu Buhari’s refusal to comply with the Supreme Court judgement delivered on March 3, 2023, in respect of the naira redesign policy.
The association, which came under criticism recently over its high rating of INEC following the February 25 presidential poll, made its position known in a statement on Monday signed by its President, Yakubu Maikyau (SAN).
Part of the statement reads: “Nigerians may not be too enchanted with our Judiciary, and this may have arisen from unsubstantiated and spurious allegations of judicial misconduct, the fact however remains that we still must look to the Judiciary as the only and final resort, to protect our rights as a people and secure probity in public life.”
The NBA further said that “the Supreme Court has spoken for the people of this nation and has appropriately issued orders to the Executive and the orders of the court must be complied with.
“We cannot, under any guise or pretence, accept or tolerate any appearance of autocracy or dictatorship.
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“Our system of democratic governance has come to stay, it must not only be respected by all and sundry but must also be jealously guarded and protected.”
The NBA described the Supreme Court’s order as the greatest test to Nigeria’s constitutional democracy, adding that the executive cannot be seen disregarding it.
“This is the greatest test or challenge to our constitutional democracy and the Executive cannot afford to disregard the orders of the Supreme Court made for the benefit of the people that elected it to power.
“I therefore on behalf of all Nigerians, call on the President to immediately direct compliance with the terms of the orders made by the Supreme Court in its judgement delivered on 3 March 2023,” the statement said.