Rejection of old naira notes: Southwest Govs. go tough on banks
…Desist from rejection of old notes or face prosecution — Sanwo-Olu
…As Lagos joins other States in suit challenging FG
…Adeleke warns commercial banks against hoarding new naira notes
…We’ll deal decisively with businesses rejecting old notes — Gov Abiodun
…drops phone numbers for public complaint
…Offenders may face arrest
By By Ismail Azeez, Osogbo, Bankole Taiwo, Abeokuta, Moses Adeniyi, Lagos
Governors in Southwest have gone tough on Banks operating within their jurisdiction, warning against their rejection of the old naira notes, against the ruling of the Supreme Court which has restrained the Federal Government, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Commercial Banks from implementing the February 10 deadline set for the old naira notes to cease from being legal tender.
Although, the Apex Court had given an injunction on the Federal Government until the determination of the case before it, commercial banks have begun to reject the old notes of N200, N500, N1,000, a development that generated much anxiety.
Lagos State Governor recognising the hardship the scarcity of the new notes has cost residents of the State, who he said have remained calm despite the hardship, has warned those rejecting the old notes to desist or face prosecution.
This is just as the State Government has disclosed it has joined other States in the suit initially filed by three Northern States of Kaduna, Kogi and Zamfara, challenging the Federal Government’s naira redesign policy, which has been coloured with strains of scarcity of the new notes.
A statement on Wednesday to the effect signed by the State Commissioner for Information & Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, a copy of which was made available to our correspondent, read: “The Lagos State Government wishes to put on record the patience and calmness of Lagosians following the controversy generated by the Naira shortage crisis.
“The State Government has joined the dispute at the Supreme Court, which today adjourned the hearing of the matter till February 22. When the matter first came up on February 8, the apex court said the old notes remained legal tender.
“That position has not changed. The State Government hereby warns those rejecting the old notes to desist from doing so or face prosecution. It is against the law to reject the old notes as doing so is contrary to the position of the Supreme Court.
“Governor Sanwo-Olu urges Lagosians to remain law-abiding and shun mischief makers who may exploit this temporary situation to promote their anti-people agenda. He is confident that the Judiciary will resolve all the issues around the currency shortage crisis.
“To cushion the effect of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) directive on the old notes, especially on the vulnerable among us, Lagos State has started the distribution of the food packs promised by the Governor. The 50 per cent fares slash on all state transportation facilities continues, as directed by Mr Governor.
…Adeleke warns commercial banks against hoarding new naira notes
In similar vein, Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke has warned commercial banks operating in the State against hoarding of new the Naira notes and rejection of the old ones.
The Governor, in a statement issued on Wednesday by his Spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, lamented the pain and suffering of the people of the State under the currency redesign policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
He called on all stakeholders to reach consensus to put an end to the current hardships.
The Governor who decried non-acceptance of the old currency called on the banks to be compassionate by either making the new notes available or continue acceptance of the old currency notes.
According to the statement, he said, “I am pained by the current hardship inflicted on our people. Daily living has become a nightmare. All sectors of the society are witnessing untold hardship. I call on bank chiefs to have mercy on the poor, the middle class and even the rich.
“We must make the new ,Naira notes available or we continue to accept old notes. We must stop punishing the citizens even when they commit no sin.
“I hereby warn the banks in Osun State to be humane. We should not encourage insurrection against the government by citizens through unfair policies and actions. Banks in Osun State must meet the demands of the people for new notes. Those banks who have stopped receiving old notes must reverse that policy. Our people are being pushed to the wall.”
…We’ll deal decisively with businesses rejecting old notes — Gov Abiodun
On his part, Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has reiterated his warning that the State Government will clamp down on banks and businesses rejecting the old naira notes.
Explaining that part of the measures being considered may include getting security agencies to arrest anyone who refuses to accept old naira notes, the Governor said the directive became imperative after an on-the-spot assessment of business transactions at some filling stations in Ijebu-Ode.
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Kunle Somorin, on Wednesday, the Governor stated that old naira notes of N1000, N500 and N200 are still valid and anyone who refuses to accept the old currency would be dealt with according to the dictates of the law.
According to the Governor, “It has come to the notice of the State Government that some people and traders were rejecting the old naira notes from the citizens, a development that is not healthy thereby inflicting untold hardship on the people of the State.”
Gov. Abiodun said the old naira notes are still valid and anybody found rejecting them would be arrested and prosecuted, calling on the people to go about their legitimate businesses and report any person who refuses to accept the old naira notes to Security Agencies for necessary action.
While urging the people not to take laws into their hands, Gov. Abiodun directed those whose old notes are rejected to report erring business operators to the State through the telephone numbers; 09099611266 and 08103341344.
