The Presidency has reacted to public concerns that President Muhammadu Buhari did not respond to the Supreme Court ruling revalidating Nigeria’s old N500 and N1,000 old currency notes which were scapped by the Federal Government following a currency redesign exercise.

President Buhari said in a statement made on his behalf on Monday, that at no time did he instruct the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to disobey any court orders involving the government and other parties.

Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President on media, said since the President was sworn into office in 2015, he has never directed anybody to defy court orders. He affirmed that democracy cannot be practiced without the rule of law and that the commitment of the administration to the principle has not changed.

“Following the ongoing intense debate about the compliance concerning the legality of the old currency notes, the Presidency therefore wishes to state clearly that President Buhari has not done anything knowingly and deliberately to interfere with, or obstruct the administration of justice.

“The President is not a micromanager and will not therefore, stop the Attorney-General and the CBN Governor from performing the details of their duties in accordance with the law. In any case. it is debatable at this time if there is proof of willful denial by the two of them on the orders of the apex court,” Mr Shehu said.

The President has after a meeting of the Council of State, asked the Central Bank of Nigeria to make available for circulation all the money that is needed, Shehu said.

Despite the meeting in February, Nigerians have been faced with severe and prolonged cash crunch which has put households and businesses into deep despair.

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Shehu described President Buhari as an absolute respecter of judicial process and the authority of the courts. “He has done nothing in the last eight or so years to act in any way to obstruct the administration of justice, cause lack of confidence in the administration of justice, or otherwise interfere, or corrupt the courts and there is no reason whatsoever that he should do so now when he is getting ready to leave office”.

He said the negative campaign and personalised attacks against the President by the opposition and all manner of commentators was unfair and unjust, as no court order at any level had been issued or directed at him.

The presidential spokesman said for the cashless system the CBN is determined to put in place, it is a known fact that many of the country’s citizens who bear the brunt of the sufferings, surprisingly support the policy.

He said all Nigerians believe that the action would cut corruption, fight terrorism, build an environment of honesty and reinforce the incorruptible leadership of the President.

“It is therefore wide off the mark to blame the President for the current controversy over the cash scarcity, despite the Supreme Court judgement. The CBN has no reason not to comply with court orders on the excuse of waiting for directives from the President,” he stated.

The statement claimed that President Buhari has also rejected the impression that he lacks compassion, saying that “no government in our recent history has introduced policies to help economically marginalised and vulnerable groups like the present administration.”