ABEOKUTA – Some commercial banks and business operators in Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital on Monday subjected Nigerians to another horrendous hardship rejecting the old naira notes from their customers in spite of Supreme Court order temporarily halting the ban on their use.
THE ENCOUNTER NEWS reports that following the redesigning of N200, N500 and N1000 notes by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Jan. 31 was announced as deadline for use of the old notes.
The Jan. 31 deadline was, however, met with outrage from Nigerians, forcing the apex bank to extend the deadline to Feb. 10 after which the notes would cease to be legal tender.
Meanwhile, governors of Kaduna, Kogi and Zamfara approached the Supreme Court on Feb. 3, requesting that the extention should be beyond Feb. 10 as announced by the CBN.
Following the suit, a seven-member panel of the apex court, led by John Okoro gave the order suspending the Feb. 10 deadline till Feb. 15, when the suit would be determined.
THE ENCOUNTER NEWS reporter who went round some parts of the Abeokuta on Monday to monitor use of the old notes, discovered they were being rejected in public places like fuelling stations, market places, malls, and banks.
A visit to Keystone bank at Ibara saw many customers wailing and cursing the bank officials for allegedly rejecting the old naira notes and subjecting them to another stress.
It was similar situation at Polaris Bank, Sapon, as many customers who queued at the bank entrance told our reporter that, the bank Manager (name withheld) announced that the bank will not be taking old naira notes for now.
Asked on what reasons was given for the rejection of the old notes, they said no genuine explanation was given.
Efforts to gain entry into the banking hall to speak with the bank officials was abortive as the mammoth crowd in the scorching sun prevented our reporter entry.
THE ENCOUNTER NEWS reports that, market women at Omida market rejected the old naira notes from our reporter who bought fish and pepper to confirm the rumour.
Our reporter observed that officials of the popular mall outlet, Foodco at Akin-Olugbade rejected the old naira notes from customers.
Mr. Tiamiyu Taiwo, a POS operator at Abiola way said he started rejecting the old notes because banks had began rejecting them.
He said, “I went to bank to withdraw money and I saw bank officials the old notes. If banks can reject the old notes, why should I start collecting it?
“That is why I am insisting on new notes for any deposit.”
On the Supreme Court Order, Tiamiyu said he was aware of it but insisted that since banks had started rejecting the money he had no choice.
Mrs Morufat Ayinke Osho, a pepper seller at Omida Market, said she stopped collecting old notes since morning following the rejection of Keystone bank closer to them.
According to her, she heard that the old notes have ceased to be legal tender.
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“Although, I heard that the court gave order that we should continue using the old notes but people are rejecting it in the market, that is why I am also rejecting it.
“I also heard that banks have equally stopped accepting the old notes but I do not know how true that is.
“There is so much confusion about the whole thing, so the best thing to do is not to collect it at all.”
However, an unconfirmed report claimed that a team of Policemen from Ibara Divisional Police Station had locked Lotus bank opposite the palace of Alake of Egbaland at Ake, Abeokuta.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abimbola Oyeyemi denied knowledge of any closure of bank in Abeokuta.
When asked if police would clamp down on erring banks or business enterprises who reject the old naira notes, Oyeyemi promised to get back to our reporter.
Meanwhile, the Ogun state government has vowed to take appropriate action against any bank or business enterprise rejecting the old naira notes.
Speaking to our reporter in a telephone interview, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Alhaji Waheed Odusile stressed that, banks or business enterprises rejecting the old naira notes are acting illegally.
Odusile said the state government will investigate and take appropriate action against anyone found culpable.
“Well, I’m just hearing this, but if this were to be true, they will be acting illegally. But we will investigate and take appropriate action against anyone found culpable.”
