Confusion was added to the ongoing naira shortage crisis in the country when a senior official of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) declared that the old Naira Notes of N200, N500 and N1000 have ceased to be legal tender in Nigeria since the 10th of February, 2023.
The Branch Controller of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Bauchi, Haladu Idris Andaza, made this declaration while briefing Journalists on Monday at the CBN branch in Bauchi.
He said that “In the last 24 hours, we have been inundated by questions from various angles of the general public about our operational guidelines on the old currency notes. Be that as it may, there are so many questions here and there that people have been asking about.”
“So for the avoidance of doubt, we wish to state categorically that CBN is ready and is open to receive all of those old notes based on certain conditions and criteria.”
“Customers are free to come to the Bank and deposit, which they cannot do at the Commercial Banks anymore because the currency has ceased to be a legal tender since the 10th of this month.”
The official directed those still with the old notes to visit the offices of the CBN in all the 36 states of the Federation including FCT to deposit their money.
“The customer has to go to the CBN portal and fill a form in the portal, there will be a form there concerning this currency redesign and exchange.
“After filling the form, you generate a code, you either print it or come with it on your mobile phone, give us the code and the information contained therein. In the form, you are expected to provide all the basic information about yourself, your account details and the amount you want to deposit” the man said according to Nigerian Tribune.
The deadline for the removal of the old notes from the system was February 10.
However, the Supreme Court ordered a suspension of this deadline pending the determination of a suit brought by three state governments.
The Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), declared that the Federal Government would abide by the order of the apex court, even though it would try to reverse it later through legal means.
On the strength of that, citizens have been freely using the old notes alongside the new notes pending the issuance of fresh directives arising from the determination of the suit before the Supreme Court on February 15.
The latest declaration from the Bauchi branch controller of CBN flies against the apex court’s order and the Attorney General’s position.
Lo ba pari,e don finish as CBN official say this.it is well.we Nigerians we will survive jare.