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Group Drags Buhari To Court Over Ban On Old N500, N1,000 Notes

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The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has filed a lawsuit against President Muhammadu Buhari over “the unlawful directive banning the use of old N500 and N1,000 banknotes, contrary to the interim injunction granted by the Supreme Court that the old N200, N500, and N1000 notes remain legal tender.”

Joined in the suit as defendants are the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, and the Central Bank of Nigeria.

The PUNCH reports that the Supreme Court in a case initially brought by 10 states recently held that the old banknotes remain legal tender pending the determination of a motion on notice fixed for February 22. The deadline for the swap of the old notes expired February 10.

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READ ALSO: Naira Notes Scarcity: Buhari Addresses Nigerians, Seeks Patience, Understanding [ FULL TEXT]

However, Buhari in a national broadcast on Thursday directed the CBN to recirculate only the old N200 banknotes, banning the use of old N500 and N1,000 notes in the country.

In the suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/233/2023 filed last Friday at the Federal High Court, Abuja, SERAP is asking the court to determine “whether Buhari’s directive banning the N500 and N1,000 banknotes is not inconsistent and incompatible with the constitutional duties to obey decisions of the Supreme Court and oath of office.”

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SERAP is asking the court for “a declaration that Buhari’s directive banning the use of old N500 and N1,000 banknotes is a fundamental breach of section 287(1) of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended) and his constitutional oath of office, and therefore unconstitutional, unlawful, null and void.”

It also seeks an order of interim injunction restraining Buhari, the CBN and Malami, their agents or privies, from further enforcing the presidential directive banning the old N500 and N1,000 banknotes, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice filed in its suit.

The suit was filed on behalf of SERAP by its lawyers Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, SAN, and Kolawole Oluwadare.

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SERAP is also asking the court for the following reliefs:

A declaration that by virtue of section 287(1) of the Nigerian Constitution, 1999, Buhari, the CBN and Malami have a constitutional duty to obey and enforce any decisions and orders of the Supreme Court, particularly the order allowing the use of old N200, N500 and N1,000 banknotes;

READ ALSO: [UPDATED] New Naira: 10 States Ask Supreme Court To Void Buhari’s Directive

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An order restraining and stopping the CBN from carrying out and giving effect to the directive of the President directing and approving that the old N500 and N1,000 banknotes are no longer legal tender and the old N200 banknote will cease to be legal tender on April10, 2023, in compliance with the order of the Supreme Court of Nigeria made on February 8, 2023 in the Suit Number SC/CV/162/2023 – Attorney General of Kaduna State & two Ors v. Attorney General of the Federation;

And an order for the CBN to direct all commercial banks in Nigeria to accept and give out the old N200, N500, and N1,000 banknotes as legal tender concurrently along with the new banknotes of the same denomination in line with the order of the Supreme Court.

According to The PUNCH, no date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.

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Journalists Are Indispensable Companions, Says Osun Amotekun Commander

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Osun State Commander of the Western Nigeria Security Network and Amotekun Corps, Chief Adekunle Omoyele, has described journalists as indispensable companions for any organisation or individual who is poised to succeed

Dr. Omoyele, who spoke while receiving the executive members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, OSBC Chapel, expressed his commitment to maintaining a cordial relationship with journalists.

The Commander, who has been partnering with the union since he assumed his present position, also used the avenue to express his readiness to collaborate with men of the pen professional to ensure the forthcoming press-week of NUJ, OSBC Chapel is successful.

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Omoyele, while expressing his readiness to host the Church Service ushering in the 2025 Press Week of the NUJ, OSBC Chapel, slated for September 28, 2025,
appreciated the union for maintaining and sustaining the cordiality between the two organisations.

READ ALSO:Ondo Amotekun Arrests Kidnappers, Other Suspects

Earlier in his remarks, chairman of the chapel, Comrade Lateef Agboola, informed the Amotekun Commander that his team was in his office to renew the cordial relationship between the Amotekun Osun and the NUJ, OSBC Chapel.

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Agboola felicitated with Dr Omoyele on his installation as the Onijegun of Ijegun, Iseyin, by the Aseyin of Iseyinland, Oba Sefiu Olawale Oyebola, Olayeri the third, in May this year.

Other executive members of the entourage were: Deputy Chairman of the chapel, Comrade Olawumi Olaniyi; General Secretary, Comrade Kamil Raheem and the treasurer, Comrade Bukola Osunwo.

Highlight of the visit was the presentation of the frame to Dr Omoyele to identify with him on his installation as the Onijegun of Ijegun in Iseyin.

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Edo Seals Market Square Over Unpaid Taxes

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The Edo State Internal Revenue Service has sealed the premises of Market Square over alleged N27m million naira unpaid taxes.

In a statement on Friday, Edo EIRS Head, Corporate Communications, Courage Eboigbe, said the outstanding sum was as a result of an audit conducted by the EIRS on Market Square, covering the period from 2018 to 2023 for Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) and Withholding Tax liabilities.

The statement read: “The Edo State Internal Revenue Service on Friday, September 19, 2025, sealed the premises of Market Square (Sunday Foods) for non-payment of taxes amounting to N27,005,117.97.

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“The outstanding sum is the result of an audit exercise conducted by the EIRS on Market Square, covering the period from 2018 to 2023 for Pay-As-You-Earn and Withholding Tax liabilities.

“The audit findings and subsequent tax assessment were communicated to the company. As Market Square did not object to this assessment, it became final and conclusive.

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“Following the company’s refusal to settle its debt, the revenue service has now, pursuant to a court order, sealed the premises to recover the outstanding tax due to the Edo State Government.

READ ALSO:Edo Agency Rescues 27-year-old Uwoghiren Poisoned In Burkina Faso

The EIRS is prepared to unseal the premises immediately upon confirmation of full payment.’

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Eboigbe, who said payment of taxes is a fundamental civic responsibility for all individuals and organizations engaged in economic activities in Edo State, stated that tax revenue is essential for the government to provide critical infrastructure and services for the public.

While noting that tax compliance significantly enhances business operations and upholds a positive corporate image, he said that EIRS commends all compliant taxpayers and urged others to meet their tax obligations promptly.

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Bauchi Attorney-General Says GBV Is A Pressing Human Right Issue

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Hassan El-Yakub, the Bauchi State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, has described Gender-Based Violence (GBV) as one of the most pressing human rights concerns in the state.

El-Yakub made the remark in Bauchi on Friday, during a two-day training on enhancing access to justice and strengthening investigative and prosecutorial skills in GBV cases.

Represented by Yusuf Adamu, the State Solicitor and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, El-Yakub noted that although Bauchi State has enacted laws and policies to tackle the menace, more needs to be done through collaboration among stakeholders.

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READ ALSO:Warji Community Lauds Bauchi Govt Over 19-km Road Project

The training brought together investigators, prosecutors, judicial officers, and civil society actors.

The training focused on improving knowledge of GBV laws and case law, while equipping investigators with skills in evidence collection, forensic documentation, and maintaining the chain of custody.

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Participants also received training on strengthening prosecutorial capacity in framing charges, presenting medical evidence, and securing convictions, with an emphasis on survivor-centered justice that balances restorative and punitive measures.

READ ALSO:Plant Trees Alongside With School Construction, Bauchi SUBEB Tells Contractors

Speaking before the training, Ms Deborah Tabara, Gender and Reproductive Health Analyst, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), commended the Ministry of Justice for engaging critical stakeholders.

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Tabara, also the state’s Programme Officer, UNFPA, acknowledged that managing GBV cases remained a challenge, adding that training provides a strategy to bridge existing gaps.

Similarly, Maimuna Ibrahim, the Ministry’s Gender Desk Officer, disclosed that most cases recorded by the ministry involved sexual violence and the torture of minors.

Goodwill messages were delivered by representatives of the State Ministry of Women Affairs and Child Development, the State Office of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the Journalists for Public Health and Development Initiative (J4PD).

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