After the Supreme Court adjourned the hearing on the naira redesign policy to February 22, the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has stated emphatically that the old naira notes remain valid in the state.
He warned residents and businesses in Lagos against rejecting old notes and vowed that those who reject old notes will be prosecuted.
The Governor, in a statement on Wednesday, said:
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 warn 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.
