Abubakar Malami,
By Correspondent in Kaduna.
Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.
Photo credit: Arisenews.
The biting effect of the naira redesigned policy on Nigerians notwithstanding, Abubakar Malami, Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice says the introduction of the policy by Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has reduced, significantly, the rate of kidnappings in the country.
The AGF, in an interview with Radio Nigeria Kaduna, said there were positive sides of the policy which were not considered.
A seven-member panel of the Supreme Court, led by John Okoro, had restrained the CBN from banning the use of the old naira notes – N200, N500 and N1,000 – from February 10.
The apex court made the ruling in an ex parte application brought by three states: Kaduna, Kogi, and Zamfara. Reacting to the ruling on Friday, Malami said, “I told you the case is still in court, we will obey the court order but we also have right to explain to court the positive sides of the policy.
He said:“If you see the negative side of it, you have to see the positive sides. If these governors told the court the hardships being experienced as a result of the policy, there are also some problems that the policy is solving.
“I gave you example of insecurity. Immediately this policy was introduced, the rampant kidnapping has drastically reduced. It also reduced rate of corruption, therefore, we have right to go and explain to court these positive sides.
“The court gave order without listening to government side but it fixed 15 February to hear from the government. “Everybody knows part of the reasons Nigerians elected President Muhammadu Buhari is to fight corruption, insecurity and boost economy. The policy was introduced considering these and we will ask court to look at both sides of it.”
Meanwhile,the effect of the policy continues to bite on residents of Lokoja, kogi State,on Saturday with increased intensity as many of them thronged banks as early 4 a.m with the hope of being able to withdraw just N5,000 and in few instances,N10,000 among social and economic challenges.
Some family members,who spoke with The Reporters on Friday in Lokoja, said they had been going to bed with empty stomach as they could not access their money in the bank to buy food.
“It is so bad that in my family of four,we cannot boast of one mudu of garri and where the next food will come becomes highly elusive.
“This is really an untold harship. Buhari should please find lasting and timely solution to this serious problem,” a Lokoja-based female Journalist,who asked for veiling of identity, told The Reporters in a chat on Saturday.
The queue for naira has eventually taken over from the queue for fuel in Lokoja as a result of ease in the supply of the product to many filling stations in the area, coupled with the scarcity of naira stopping many motorists from buying fuel.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
Source: Dailytrust/The Reporters.
