Anambra state governor, Chukwuma Charles Soludo has said the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has directed commercial banks to pay out old and new notes to customers.
Soludo stated that Godwin Emefiele, the CBN governor, confirmed the directive personally to him in a phone conversation, after meeting with the Bankers’ Committee over the weekend.
He made this known in a statement issued on Monday and made available to Journalists.
Soludo was a former governor of the Central Bank.
DAILY GIST had reported that a seven-member panel of the apex court held that the old N200, N500 and N1000 remain valid legal tender until 31 December 2023.
There is still uncertainty about the true status of the policy as the old notes being rejected by traders, even though some banks are dispensing them.
There are also reports that banks are refusing to accepts deposits of the old currency notes.
Speaking on the development on Monday, Soludo said the CBN gave the directive of old notes circulation at a meeting with the Bankers’ Committee held on Sunday, 12th March.
The governor said: “Commercial banks have been directed by the central bank to dispense old currency notes and to also receive same as deposits from customers.”
“Tellers at the commercial banks are to generate the codes for deposits and there is no limit to the number of times an individual or company can make deposits.
“The governor of the CBN gave the directive at a Bankers’ Committee meeting held on Sunday, 12th March, 2023. The Governor, Dr. Godwin Emefiele, personally confirmed the above to me during a phone conversation on Sunday night.
“Residents of Anambra are therefore advised to freely accept and transact their businesses with the old currency notes (N200; N500; and N1,000) as well as the new notes.”
Soludo also urged residents report any bank that refuses to accept deposits of the old notes.
“Anambra state government will not only report such a bank to the CBN, but will also immediately shut down the defaulting branch,” he added.
