THE Ogun State Government has filed an application with the Supreme Court of Nigeria to join Kaduna, Kogi, and Zamfara States in a lawsuit against the Federal Government of Nigeria regarding the validity period for the old N200, N500, and N1000 notes.
At least seven All Progressives Congress (APC) states, including Kano, Ondo, and Ekiti, have already filed lawsuits against the federal government, and the government of Rivers State has said that it will also file a lawsuit against the federal government and the apex bank.
Ogun State petitioned to be included as the fourth plaintiff/applicant in a lawsuit with case number SC/CV/162/2023 through a Motion of Notice submitted by its counsel, Afe Babalola and Co, on February 13.
The applicant further indicated in the Notice that it want to participate as a co-plaintiff in the lawsuit brought by the other three plaintiffs in order to obtain a fair and just resolution.
The plaintiff further informed the Supreme Court that, in addition to the affidavit in support of the application, it will rely on all the documentation already filed in this case.
The plaintiff listed 13 grounds for the application, arguing, among other things, that the implementation of the federal government-sanctioned policy has so far had a negative impact on citizens throughout the federation, including Ogun State. This has left several residents of the state stranded, strapped for cash, and frustrated, which has caused riots, severely disrupted commercial activity, and a gradual decline in the state’s economy.
The 4th plaintiff submitted further that: “Ogun State is one of the constituent members of the Federation recognized under the provision of Section 3 (1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended);
“The Attorney General of Ogun State seeking to be added or joined as the 4th plaintiff in this suit is the Chief Law Officer of Ogun State vested with the power and responsibility of representing Ogun State in legal matters including the protection of the interest of Ogun State by challenging any law, policy or action of the Federal Government perceived to be in violation of the laws of the Federation for the order and good government of Ogun State;
“The implementation of the policy has totally paralyzed and brought to standstill the economic activities of Ogun State and also severely impaired the government’s ability to deliver on its economic agenda to the people;
“The already existing Plaintiffs and Defendants will not be prejudiced in any way by the grant of this application which had been brought in the interest of justice and right to fair hearing to join the Applicant/Party seeking to be joined as a co-plaintiff;
“This application is necessary in order to prevent a multiplicity of suits;
“It is necessary to join the Applicant of this suit in order to allow for a complete and just determination of this suit;
“This suit is liable to be defeated if the Applicant, who is a necessary party to this suit, is not joined;
“if this Honourable Court refuses this application, the interest of Ogun state and its people would be prejudiced by any contrary decision given by this Honourable Court in the substansibe suit;
“the applicant is ready to be bound by the eventual judgment of this Honourable Court;
“The leave of this Honourable Court is required to add or join this Applicant/Party seeking to be joined as a Co-Plaintiff;
“It is in the overall interest of justice and fair hearing that this application is duly considered and granted by this Honourable Court.”
