Mohammed Shosanya
The Central Bank of Nigeria has directed commercial banks in the country to dispense and receive old naira notes as legal tender in the country.
The CBN gave the directive at a Bankers’ Committee meeting held on Sunday, a statement issued by the acting Director, CBN Corporate Communications, Isa AbdulMumin, on Monday,said.
The apex bank in a statement titled, “Old N200, N500, and N1,000 banknotes remain Legal Tender – CBN’, said the directive was in compliance with Buhari’s administration obedience to court orders.
The statement said: “In compliance with the established tradition of obedience to court orders and sustenance of the Rule of Law Principle that characterised the government of President Muhammad Buhari, and by extension, the operations of the Central Bank of Nigeria, as a regulator, Deposit Money Banks operating in Nigeria have been directed to comply with the Supreme Court ruling of March 3, 2023.
“Accordingly, the CBN met with the Bankers’ Committee and has directed that the old N200, N500 and N1000 banknotes remain legal tender alongside the redesigned banknotes till December 31, 2023.Consequently, all concerned are directed to conform accordingly.”