Justice Yellim Bogoro of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, has dismissed a case brought by Chief Malcolm Omirhobo challenging the inclusion of Arabic inscriptions on Nigerian currency.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The development has been generating mixed reactions from members of the public, and one of those who reacted was the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC).
According to Sahara Reporters on Tuesday, while the court acknowledged Omirhobo’s standing to bring the action, it ruled that he failed to provide sufficient evidence that the Central Bank of Nigeria acted in bad faith.
However, Malcolm Omirhobo said that the court noted that Nigeria is a secular state and a multi-ethnic and religious country, where no religion or ethnic group is superior to others.
He said that the court advised the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Federal Government to consider removing the Arabic inscriptions from higher denomination naira notes, as they have been removed from lower denominations.
He said, “The court noted that Arabic language is not Nigeria’s official language and advised that for Nigerians to co-exist in harmony, it is high time for the Central Bank of Nigeria and Federal Government to remove the Arabic inscription on the N200, N500 and N1000 notes since it has been removed from the N5, N10, N50 and N100.”
In reaction, the (MURIC) has hailed the judgment as “far-reaching, profound, didactic, and monumental.”
In a statement that was released by MURIC’s Executive Director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, he expressed satisfaction with the outcome, saying that the judgment demonstrates the judiciary’s courage and intellectual excellence.
Akintola recalled that MURIC had earlier stated that Omirhobo’s approach was “naïve, pedestrian, and kindergarten.”
He said that Nigeria belongs to all citizens, regardless of religion or ethnicity, and that everyone should be treated with dignity and respect.
He said, “We love Nigeria and Nigeria will continue to accommodate both Christians and Muslims.
“Even Muslims cannot wish away the Christians. That is the Nigeria we want. We must tolerate one another.”
