SANWO OLU: Resist Old Naira Note And Face Prosecution
On Wednesday, the Lagos State Government, led by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, pledged to prosecute anyone who refused to accept outdated naira notes as legal tender throughout the state.
The governor claimed that the old N200, N500, and N1,000 still qualify as lawful cash because the Supreme Court had not yet issued its ruling on the case in a statement by the state's commissioner for information and strategy, Gbenga Omotoso.
The Lagos State Government issued the following statement in response to the uproar caused by the Naira shortage crisis: "The Lagosian people have shown tolerance and composure amidst the controversy."
The Supreme Court postponed today's hearing on the case until February 22 after the State Government joined the issue there. The apex court declared the old notes to still be legal tender when the issue was originally raised on February 8.
That stance remains unchanged. Those who refuse the old notes are hereby warned by the State Government to stop doing so or risk legal action. Rejecting the old notes is illegal because it goes against the Supreme Court's stance.
"Governor Sanwo-Olu calls on the people of Lagos to uphold the law and avoid troublemakers who would take advantage of this fleeting circumstance to forward their anti-people agenda. He is certain that the judiciary will find a solution to every problem relating to the dilemma of the cash shortage.
Lagos State has begun distributing the food boxes that the governor promised to lessen the impact of the Central Bank of Nigeria's decision on the old notes, especially on the most needy among us. As ordered by Mr. Governor, all state transit facilities are still offering 50% off of their regular rates.
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