By Promise Eze
The Supreme Court on Wednesday adjourned hearing in a suit filed by Kaduna, Kogi and Zamfara states against the federal government seeking a restraining order to stop the full implementation of the naira redesign policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) until Feb. 22.
According to Voice of Nigeria, the Justice John Okoro-led nine-member panel joined the Attorneys General of Katsina Lagos, Ondo, Ogun, Ekiti and Sokoto States as co-plaintiffs.
The Attorneys General of Edo and Bayelsa states were joined as co-respondents.
The court ordered the original plaintiffs and the respondent – the Attorney General of the Federation – to amend the processes already filed to reflect the new parties.
At the last hearing, the Court had temporarily banned the implementation of the February 10 deadline of the CBN from making the old N200, N500 and N1,000 notes legal tender.
Zamfara, Kogi and Kaduna states had instituted the suit against the Federal Government and the CBN.
Other states, namely Niger, Kano, Ondo, Ekiti, had also applied to be joined in the suit against the CBN and the Federal Government.
Lagos State, through its Attorney General, Moyosore Onigbanjo, also applied, seeking to be joined in the suit.
Bayelsa State, led by Damian Dodo, had also applied to be joined in the suit as a respondent. Similarly, Edo State applied to be joined as a respondent.
Court proceedings began with Justice John Okoro leading a seven-man panel.
He said the court should not lose sight of the case and its intention as it affects the suffering of Nigerians.
