Justice Yellin Bogoro of the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has dismissed a lawsuit filed by Lagos-based lawyer, Malcom Omirhobo, challenging the use of Arabic inscriptions on Nigerian Naira notes.
In a ruling delivered on Tuesday, July 16, Justice Bogoro emphasized that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is legally empowered under Section 53 (1) of the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act (BOFIA) to print, design, and issue currency. The judge stated that the plaintiff failed to demonstrate that the CBN's actions were carried out in bad faith, a prerequisite for challenging governmental decisions.
Omirhobo, who initiated the suit in January 2020, argued that Arabic, not being one of Nigeria's four official languages (English, Yoruba, Hausa, and Igbo), should not be featured on the country's currency. He contended that its presence contravenes certain provisions of the Nigerian Constitution, as Arabic is neither indigenous to Nigeria nor an official language.
The CBN, responding to the suit, raised a preliminary objection asserting that Omirhobo lacked the locus standi (legal standing) to file the case. The bank also submitted a defense challenging the claims made by the plaintiff.
Additionally, three other interested parties joined the suit as defendants: the Incorporated Trustees of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), its founder Ishaq Akintola, and Kebbi-based legal practitioner Umar Kalgo.
In her ruling, Justice Bogoro initially dismissed the CBN's preliminary objection, affirming Omirhobo's legal standing as a taxpayer to institute public interest actions. However, she ultimately ruled against the plaintiff on the grounds that he did not sufficiently prove that the CBN had acted in bad faith, thereby dismissing the lawsuit.
Following the judgment, Omirhobo expressed his intention to obtain a Certified True Copy of the ruling to review before deciding on his next steps. He highlighted the court's acknowledgment of Nigeria's multi-ethnic and religious diversity, emphasizing that no ethnic group or religion should be considered superior to others.
The lawyer also suggested that, for national harmony, the CBN and the Federal Government might consider removing Arabic inscriptions from higher denomination Naira notes, similar to their absence on lower denomination notes.
The ruling marks a significant legal decision regarding the cultural and linguistic symbols on Nigerian currency, addressing both constitutional concerns and public interest in a diverse society.
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