Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has vowed to prosecute anyone found rejecting the old naira note denominations classified as illegal tender by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN.
While noting what he described as the patience and calmness of Lagosians over the naira scarcity crisis, the Lagos State governor, however, vowed to penalize those rejecting the old notes.
A statement issued by the state commissioner for information and strategy, Gbenga Omotoso read thus:
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% fares slash on all state transportation facilities continues, as directed by Mr Governor.
The inclination of the Lagos State government follows that of many other APC controlled states in vowing the continued use of the old naira notes despite its proscription by the APC led federal administration.
