JUST IN: Continue to use old N500, N1000 notes as legal tender -El-Rufai tells Nigerians

•Denies directive to demolish banks in the state

The Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has advised residents of the state to continue to use the old N500 and N1000 notes as legal tender as ordered by the supreme court of Nigeria.

Meanwhile, the Kaduna State Urban Planning and Development Agency (KASUPDA), had denied reports that the state government ordered the demolition of banks that failed to comply with the directive to accept the old N500 and N1,000 from customers in the state.

El-Rufai, had, in a broadcast on Thursday last week asked residents to stay calm and peaceful and support the lawful means being utilised to solve the cash scarcity challenge, assuring they would not lose their money.

Governor said, “Let no artificial deadline frighten you. Whether you live in towns, villages or in our isolated rural communities, do not feel stampeded to deposit your old notes in the banks. Hold on to them. Continue to use them as legal tender as ordered by the Supreme Court of Nigeria.”

However, on Monday afternoon, news emerged that the Governor had ordered banks to be marked for demolition, with trucks stationed in from of the banks.

”There is no instruction to bring down any bank that refuses to comply with the order asking banks to accept old naira notes from customers in the state.

“It was last year that those operating commercial businesses were asked to come and settle their ground rents, banks were not even included in the directive.”

Newsmen who went round the city centre in Kaduna reports that no banks were marked for demolition and no trucks are stationed in front of any bank.