On Tuesday, the Federal High Court in Lagos dismissed a lawsuit seeking the removal of Arabic inscriptions from naira notes ¹ ² ³ ⁴ ⁵. The lawsuit, filed by Lagos-based lawyer Chief Malcolm Omirhobo, contended that the Arabic inscriptions portrayed Nigeria as an Islamic state, contrary to the country's secular status.
Background of the Lawsuit
The lawsuit, filed in 2020, prayed the court to order the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to replace the Arabic inscriptions with English or any of Nigeria's three main indigenous languages ¹ ² ³ ⁴ ⁵. The lawyer claimed that the CBN's use of Arabic inscriptions violated sections 10 and 55 of the Nigerian Constitution, which established the country's secular status.
The CBN's Defense
The CBN filed a counter-affidavit opposing the lawsuit, stating that the Arabic inscriptions did not connote any religious statements or Arabian alignment ¹ ³. The apex bank explained that the inscriptions, known as Ajami, dated back to the colonial era and were meant to aid those without Western education in certain parts of the country.
The CBN also argued that removing the Arabic inscriptions would cost taxpayers and the federal government a substantial sum of money to print new notes ¹.
Court's Ruling
Justice Yellin Bogoro dismissed the lawsuit, stating that the plaintiff failed to prove that the CBN's use of Arabic inscriptions was done in bad faith ¹ ² ³ ⁴ ⁵. However, the judge agreed with the plaintiff that Nigeria is a secular state and no religion is superior to the other.
The court also noted that Nigeria is a multi-ethnic and religious country and no ethnic group or religion is superior to the other ² ³ ⁴ ⁵. The judge advised the CBN and the federal government to remove the Arabic inscriptions from the N200, N500, and N1,000 notes, as they have been removed from the lower denominations ¹ ² ⁴ ⁵.
Implications of the Ruling
The court's ruling has sparked mixed reactions, with some hailing it as a victory for religious tolerance and others decrying it as an attempt to Islamize Nigeria ³. The lawsuit and the court's ruling highlight the ongoing debate about the role of religion in Nigeria's public life.
Conclusion
The Federal High Court's dismissal of the lawsuit challenging Arabic inscriptions on naira notes has brought closure to a contentious issue. While the court's ruling has been met with mixed reactions, it is a reminder that Nigeria is a secular state with a diverse population. As the country continues to navigate issues of religion and public life, it is essential to prioritize tolerance, understanding, and coexistence.