Yahaya Bello orders arrest of people and closure of banks and businesses that reject the old Naira

Governor of Kogi state, Yahaya Bello has ordered that any individual or business that rejects the old Naira should be arrested.

This is coming following the ruling by the apex court that the old notes remain legal tenders until December 31, 2023.

A statement by Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo congratulated Nigerians on the “historic ruling of the Supreme Court”.

He said it was unacceptable that some persons and businesses continue to reject the old notes, even after the court validated their use.

”Rejecting the old naira notes is a clear disobedience of the Supreme Court ruling,” the commissioner stressed.

“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.”

Fanwo warned that the government will not accommodate financial institutions “that willfully disobey court orders, moreso, the orders of the highest court in Nigeria”.

“Since the banks are issuing the old naira notes, they are bound to also receive it. We cannot continue to kill our economy after the Supreme Court has granted us freedom.”