Kogi government warns against rejecting old Naira notes, culprits to face prosecution.

Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello
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IDRIS AHMED, LOKOJA

Kogi state government has directed citizens to receive and transact businesses using both the old and new Naira notes.

A press statement signed by the State Commissioner of Information and Communications Kingsley Fanwo issued to Journalists on Friday in Lokoja, warned that persons and businesses that reject the old Naira notes risk arrest and prosecution.

While congratulating Nigerians on the landmark and historic ruling by the Supreme Court of Nigeria to the effect that both the old and new naira notes remain legal tenders until December 31 , 2023, the Commissioner advised Nigerians to accept both the old and new notes as legal tender.

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Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello represented at the Lecture and Award ceremony by his Commissioner for Information and Communication, Honourable Kingsley Fanwo
Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello represented at the Lecture and Award ceremony by his Commissioner for Information and Communication, Honourable Kingsley Fanwo

” Both the old and new naira notes can be accepted for the purpose of transacting business till the end of this year.” Fanwo counselled.

He stated further that Kogi State joined other State Governments in the country to pursue the case with a view to ease the hardship occasioned by the unavailability of the new naira notes, which the court fully granted.

” It is therefore unacceptable that some persons and businesses will continue to reject the use of the old naira notes, even after the court judgement validating their use. Rejecting the old naira notes is a clear disobedience of the Supreme Court ruling.

” Anyone who rejects the old naira notes should be reported to security and government authorities for immediate action. Also, banks that refuse to accept old naira deposits shall be sealed as the State Government will not accommodate financial institutions that willfully disobey court orders, moreso, the orders of the highest court in Nigeria”. The statement said.

He wondered why banks are issuing the old naira notes and turn around to reject them thereby creating unnecessary hardship to the people.

” We cannot continue to kill our economy after the Supreme Court has granted us freedom. The State Government has therefore set up a high-powered Committee to ensure full adherence and compliance to the ruling of the Supreme Court.”The Commissioner said.

According to the Fanwo, Members of the Committee are the Commissioner for Finance, Budget and Economic Planning; Commissioner for Information and Communications; Commissioner for Commerce and Industry; the State Security Adviser and the Managing Director, Kogi Enterprise Development Agency.

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The Committee is to ensure that the people take full benefits of the Supreme Court ruling on the old naira notes and ease the hardship they have been subjected to by the policy that brought so much hardship to the people.

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