Court Dismisses N1 Billion Suit Against Buhari and Emefiele Over Naira Redesign Policy

The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a N1 billion lawsuit filed against former President Muhammadu Buhari and former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, concerning the hardships caused by the naira redesign policy.

The lawsuit, brought by lawyer Uthman Isa Tochukwu, alleged that the policy violated the plaintiff’s fundamental rights, including his freedom of movement and dignity. He claimed that the difficulties in accessing money from banks during the implementation of the policy in early 2023 had caused him significant hardship. The plaintiff sought N1 billion in damages from Buhari, Emefiele, the CBN, and two commercial banks.

However, during the court session on April 28, 2025, Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo ruled to dismiss the suit due to the plaintiff’s repeated absence from hearings since the case was filed in 2023. The court found that the plaintiff had abandoned the case and failed to provide any explanation or legal representation for his absences.

Counsel for Emefiele and the CBN, Chikelue Amasiani, highlighted the plaintiff’s lack of commitment to the case and requested the court to strike out the suit. The judge agreed with this request, stating that the case could be revived if the plaintiff showed more seriousness moving forward.