Gov Oyebanji Issues Directive On New Naira Notes, Warns Ekiti Residents

Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State has urged the people of the state to continue to accept the old and new naira notes as legal tender in line with the ruling of the Supreme Court, which extended the validity of the N500 and N1000 old notes till December 31, 2023.

The governor, in a statement on Saturday, by his Special Adviser on Media, Yinka Oyebode, titled, “Oyebanji urges Ekiti residents to accept old naira notes’, appealed to all businesses operating in Ekiti State to remain law abiding and accept the old naira notes.

He also urged banks to make the naira notes available in all their branches and pay points and to all traders, business owners, service providers, okada riders, drivers, filling stations, gas plants, supermarkets, schools, hospitals, POS operators, to start accepting the old notes forthwith.

“To do otherwise would amount to defying the ruling of the highest court in the country and thwarting government efforts at reducing the hardship of the people,” he said.

While stating that the government will not hesitate to arrest and prosecute business owners found rejecting the old naira notes, the governor warned that it is unlawful for any business owner or service provider to reject them.

He expressed concern over complaints that many business concerns in the state refused to accept the old naira notes as means of transaction.

Oyebanji said, “This is an appeal to all residents of Ekiti State to abide by the ruling of the Supreme Court, which provides a reprieve for the people by extending the validity date of the old naira notes till December 31.

“The state government had joined other states to seek the intervention of the Supreme Court in reversing the new naira policy, which the states averred had inflicted excruciating pain and hardship on the people in addition to crippling economic activities.”