Kogi’s governor, Yahaya Bello, has threatened to detain and prosecute anyone who refuses to accept the old Naira notes.
These details was disclosed in a statement made in Lokoja by Mr. Kingsley Fanwo, Bello’s Commissioner for Information and Media.
The old Naira notes of N1000, N500, and N200 should continue to be accepted as lawful money alongside the new notes in all transactions until December 2023, the supreme court declared on Wednesday.
The governor described as “wrong” and “demeaning” the ongoing rejection of the old Naira notes in spite of the supreme court verdict.
“This administration will not stand and watch some persons and businesses continue to reject the use of the old naira notes, even after the court judgement validating their use.
“To us, rejecting the old naira notes is a clear disobedience of the Supreme Court ruling, which shall be vehemently resisted.
“Anyone who rejects the old naira notes should be reported to the security and government authorities for immediate arrest and prosecution.
“Also, banks that refuse to accept old naira deposits shall be sealed up as the state government will not accommodate financial institutions that willfully disobey court orders, moreso, the orders of the highest court in Nigeria, ” Bello said.
The governor urged all Kogi people to try to accept the outdated notes for regular business transactions now that commercial banks had begun issuing them.
The Kogi people are required to accept it as patriots because we cannot keep killing our economy even after the Supreme Court has granted us independence.
“As a result, the state government has established a high-powered Committee to ensure full adherence and compliance to the Supreme Court’s order over the use of the old notes,” Bello stated.
