The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a ₦1 billion lawsuit filed against former President Muhammadu Buhari and former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, over the controversial naira redesign policy introduced in early 2023.
The case, brought by legal practitioner Mr. Uthman Isa Tochukwu, alleged that the naira redesign initiative caused him significant hardship, violating his fundamental rights to freedom of movement and personal dignity. Tochukwu claimed that from January to March 2023, he was unable to access funds from his bank accounts due to the cash crunch triggered by the policy, thereby severely restricting his mobility.
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In his suit, the plaintiff sought ₦1 billion in damages and urged the court to issue a perpetual injunction preventing the federal government from withdrawing the old ₦200, ₦500, and ₦1000 banknotes. He also demanded a public apology from Buhari and Emefiele, to be published in two national newspapers.
However, at the resumed hearing on Monday, Justice Inyang Ekwo struck out the case for lack of diligent prosecution. The court found that the plaintiff had effectively abandoned the suit, citing his repeated absence from proceedings without legal representation or valid explanation.
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Counsel to Emefiele and the CBN, Mr. Chikelue Amasiani, informed the court of the plaintiff’s continued non-appearance since the filing of the case in 2023. Amasiani argued that the plaintiff had shown no genuine intent to pursue the lawsuit, and subsequently requested that the case be dismissed—a motion Justice Ekwo granted.
The dismissal marks another legal win for former President Buhari and Mr. Emefiele, amid ongoing public discourse over the impact of the naira redesign policy on Nigeria’s economy and citizens.
