Old Naira Notes: Northern gov threatens to close banks, shops flouting court order

Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje has threatened to revoke the operational licences banks and major business owners who refuse to accept the old naira notes as a means of transaction in the state.

Ganduje issued the threat in a statement signed by the commissioner for information and internal affairs, Malam Muhammad Garba, in Kano on Tuesday.

The governor added that the old naira notes were still legal tenders.

According to him, the Supreme Court was emphatic on its interim injunction on the issue of old naira notes which would continue to be used as legal tender hand in hand with the new ones until the gradual and final phase-out.

There Kano governor noted that the state government observed business owners such as supermarkets, malls, banks, restaurants, hotels, traders in markets, filling stations, and motor parks, among others, were in the habit of rejecting the old naira notes in business transactions.

Ganduje explained that this non-acceptance by selfish individuals is further worsening the already tense situation exacerbated by the non-availability of the new naira notes.

He posited the people have suffered enough untold hardship and therefore, the state government would not fold its arms and allow a few selfish elements in our midst to worsen the situation.

The governor, however called on people of the state to continue with their lawful businesses and report anyone who refuses to accept the old naira notes to the appropriate security outfit for prompt action.