The Federal High Court in Abuja has struck out a ₦1 billion lawsuit filed against former President Muhammadu Buhari and former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele over the hardships caused by the 2023 Naira redesign policy.

Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo, delivering the ruling on Monday, dismissed the case due to the plaintiff’s persistent absence from court and lack of diligent prosecution.

The case, filed by Abuja-based legal practitioner Uthman Isa Tochukwu, alleged that the Naira redesign caused severe hardship, violating his fundamental rights to freedom of movement and personal dignity. Tochukwu sought ₦1 billion in damages from Buhari, Emefiele, the Attorney General of the Federation, the CBN, and two commercial banks.

He claimed that during the Naira scarcity between January and March 2023, he was unable to access funds from his accounts, severely restricting his movement and daily life.

In addition to financial compensation, Tochukwu demanded a public apology from the defendants to be published in two major national newspapers. He also sought a perpetual injunction restraining the government and CBN from further withholding old naira notes (₦200, ₦500, and ₦1000).

However, at Monday’s hearing, neither Tochukwu nor his lawyer appeared in court, and no explanation was provided for their absence.

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Chikelue Amasiani, representing the 3rd and 4th defendants (Emefiele and the CBN), highlighted the plaintiff’s repeated failure to attend proceedings, arguing that it showed a lack of seriousness in pursuing the case.

Justice Ekwo agreed, ruling that the plaintiff had abandoned the matter and therefore struck out the suit. He, however, left room for the plaintiff to revive the case in the future if he could demonstrate a genuine commitment.

The controversial Naira redesign policy, which introduced new ₦200, ₦500, and ₦1000 notes while phasing out old ones, led to widespread cash shortages and hardship across Nigeria in early 2023, sparking numerous lawsuits and public outrage.

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