Court dismisses suit challenging Arabic inscriptions on naira notes

Justice Yellin Bogoro ruled that Section 53 (1) of the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act (BOFIA) gives the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) the authority to print, design, and issue currency.

The court emphasized the need to demonstrate bad faith before taking legal action against the actions or omissions of the Federal Government or the apex bank.

The court determined that the lawsuit, filed by lawyer Malcom Omirhobo from Lagos, failed to establish that the CBN’s actions were carried out in bad faith regarding the Arabic inscriptions on Naira notes.

Recall that Omirhobo initiated the suit in January 2020, arguing that Arabic is not among Nigeria’s official languages—English, Yoruba, Hausa, and Igbo.

He noted that having Arabic on the currency violated certain provisions of the Constitution as Arabic is not indigenous to Nigeria.

In response to the lawsuit, the CBN filed a preliminary objection asserting that Omirhobo lacked the standing to bring the case, alongside filing a defense.

Three other interested persons joined the suits as defendants, the Incorporated Trustees of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), its Founder, Ishaq Akintola; and a Kebbi-based legal practitioner, Umar Kalgo.

After hearing all parties in May 2024, the court delivered its judgment today.

Justice Bogoro dismissed the CBN’s preliminary objection and affirmed Omirhobo’s standing as a taxpayer to bring the case, emphasizing the importance of public interest actions.

However, the court concluded that Omirhobo did not prove that the CBN acted in bad faith (Mala Fide) and subsequently dismissed the lawsuit.

Omirhobo announced that he would review the judgment to determine his next steps.

According to Omirhobo, the court also acknowledged Nigeria as a secular state, emphasizing equality among religions and ethnic groups.

The lawyer claimed that the court held that Arabic is not Nigeria’s official Language and advised that for Nigerians to coexist in harmony, perhaps it is time for the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Federal Government to remove the Arabic inscription on the N200, N500 and N1000 naira notes since it has been removed from the N5, N10, N50 and N100.

In response to the judgment, MURIC commended the ruling as significant and educational.

Ishaq Akintola stated that the judiciary had shown courage and intellectual rigor, declaring it a monumental verdict.

He criticized Omirhobo’s lawsuit as lacking in religious tolerance and celebrated the vindication of their position.