The Jigawa State Government has pledged to uphold the Supreme Court’s ruling that restrains the federal government from prohibiting the use of the old naira notes as a means of payment.
Zeewade reported that President Buhari had declared yesterday that the old ₦500 and ₦1000 banknotes would no longer be accepted as legal tender in the country, instructing the CBN to issue old N200 notes as legal tender until April 10, after which it will not be recognized as legal tender. The public announcement stipulated that commercial banks, corporate organizations, government departments, and traders are obliged to accept the old notes, or they will be penalized by the state government.
On Friday, a statement from the Commissioner for Information, Youths, Sports, and Culture in Jigawa State, Bala Ibrahim, was issued.: “The Jigawa State Government wishes to inform members of the Public that, it has come to its notice some individuals and corporate bodies are rejecting the now-old N200, N500 and N1000 notes.
“The Jigawa State Government is concerned about the conduct of such individuals and corporate bodies. “As a law-abiding Government, there are suits by various State Governments of which Jigawa State is among before the Supreme Court of Nigeria. The court has issued an order restraining the Federal Government of Nigeria, either by itself or acting through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and/or commercial banks, ministries, parastatals, organisations or through any person or persons (natural and artificial) howsoever, from suspending or determining or ending on 10 February, 2023 the time frame within which the now older versions of the 200, 500 and 1000 denominations of the naira may no longer be legal tender pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
“Jigawa State Government respects the rights of its people and those rejecting the now-old currencies are enjoined to desist from disobeying the law and causing hardship to the people of Jigawa State. Jigawa State Government will not hesitate to use section 287(1) of the Constitution (as amended) and other extant laws to enforce the order of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
“For clarity, the section provides, “The decisions of the Supreme Court shall be enforced in any part of the Federation by all authorities and persons, and by courts with subordinate jurisdiction to that of the Supreme Court”. People are advised to report any traders or business organisation that refuses to accept the now-old N200, N500 and N1000 notes as legal tender in Jigawa State to the nearest appropriate authorities.”
Among those who have criticized President Muhammadu Buhari’s directives on the new naira note, is the senate president, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, who noted that Buhari’s decision is a disregard for law and order.
