‘Reject Old Notes And Face Prosecution’ -State Governors, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Dapo Abiodun Warn

The Lagos state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has warned residents of the state against rejecting the old Naira notes.

In a statement released on his social media page this evening, Governor Sanwo-Olu warned that anyone resisting the old Naira notes will be prosecuted.

The statement reads:

“Dear Lagosians, I hereby commend and applaud your patience and calmness, following the sad controversy generated by the Naira shortage crisis.

I would like to inform you that the Lagos 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. Therefore we 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.

I therefore plead with everyone to remain law-abiding, and shun mischief makers who may want to exploit this temporary situation to promote their anti-people agenda. I am 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 as I earlier promised, while the 50% fares slash on all State transportation services facilities continues.

Thank you all and God bless.”

Also Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State warned that his government will take action on banks and businesses rejecting the old naira notes, causing hardship to indigenes.

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, 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.