The Federal High Court in Abuja has struck out a N1 billion lawsuit filed against former President Muhammadu Buhari and ex-Central Bank of Nigeria Governor Godwin Emefiele over the controversial 2023 naira redesign policy.

Justice Inyang Ekwo dismissed the suit on Monday, citing the plaintiff’s failure to properly pursue the case.

The suit, filed by Abuja-based lawyer Uthman Tochukwu, also listed the Attorney General of the Federation, the CBN, and two commercial banks as defendants. Tochukwu had accused them of causing severe hardship during the implementation of the naira redesign, claiming the policy infringed on his rights to freedom of movement and personal dignity after he was unable to access his funds between January and March 2023.

He sought N1 billion in damages, a halt to the withdrawal of old N200, N500, and N1,000 notes, and a public apology published in two national newspapers.

However, at Monday’s proceedings, neither Tochukwu nor his counsel, Bala Dakum, appeared before the court or provided any explanation for their absence.

Counsel to the third and fourth defendants, Mr. Chikelue Amasiani, informed the court that the plaintiff had repeatedly failed to attend hearings since filing the suit in 2023, and urged the court to dismiss the case for lack of diligent prosecution.

In a brief ruling, Justice Ekwo agreed with the defence’s submission and struck out the matter, noting that the plaintiff retained the right to refile the suit if he wished to pursue it properly.