The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) says the old N200, N500 and N1000 notes remain legal tender until December 31, 2023.
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Isa Abdulmumin, CBN spokesperson, announced the development in a statement on Monday.
In compliance with the established tradition of obedience to court orders and sustenance of the Rule of Law Principle that characterized the government of President Muhammadu Buhari, and by extension, the operations of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), 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.
Earlier, the Presidency had said the CBN had no reason not to comply with the ruling of the Supreme Court on the naira redesign policy.
It stated that President Muhammadu Buhari did not instruct the CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele, and the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, to disobey “any court orders involving the government and other parties.”
These are contained in a press statement released by the President’s Senior Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu.
The statement is a reaction to public concerns that Buhari has not reacted to the Supreme Court ruling of March 3 which ordered that the old N200, N500 and N1,000 notes should continue to circulate alongside their redesigned counterparts as legal tender until December 31, 2023.
Shehu said;
The Presidency wishes to react to some public concerns that President Muhammadu Buhari did not react to the Supreme Court judgement on the issue of the N500 and N1,000 old currency notes, and states here plainly and clearly that at no time did he instruct the Attorney General and the CBN Governor to disobey any court orders involving the government and other parties.
