Economy

Govs Declare Rejection of Old Naira Notes Illegal

By Web News 506

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has called on residents, business owners, and especially retailers to accept the old N500 and N1,000 notes – in line with the Supreme Court judgement which ruled that the currency remains legal tender until December 31, 2023.

Sanwo-Olu made the call in a statement through the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, yesterday.

The statement read in part, “The Lagos State Government has noted the hardship sparked by the Naira redesign policy, which has affected business and commercial activities.

“There is no reason to reject the old notes, going by the Supreme Court judgement delivered on March 3, 2023.

“The apex court declared that “no reasonable notice was given as required by Section 20(3) of the CBN Act,” noting that the public only became aware of the policy through press remarks, which cannot qualify as a notice to the public.

“The court maintained that the policy has impeded the functions of State governments, pointing out that the directive that stops the use of the old notes is illegal, unconstitutional, null and void.

“Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has, therefore, called on business owners, especially retailers, to accept the old N500 and N1,000 notes – in line with the Supreme Court judgement that the currency remains legal tender until December 31, 2023. It is illegal to reject the notes.

“All agencies of the Lagos State Government are advised not to reject payments made with the old currency by the public.”

Similarly, the Governor of Anambra State, Chukwuma Soludo, has urged the state residents to transact with the old naira notes and report banks that refuse to accept the notes.

Making the announcement on his Facebook page on Monday, Soludo noted that the CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele, confirmed to him that commercial banks could dispense and accept old notes from customers.

He wrote, “Commercial banks have been directed by the Central Bank to dispense old currency notes and to also receive the same as deposits from customers. Tellers at commercial banks are to generate the codes for deposits and there is no limit to the number of times an individual or company can make deposits.

“The Governor of the CBN gave the directive at a Bankers’ Committee meeting held on Sunday, 12th March 2023. The Governor, Dr Godwin Emefiele, personally confirmed the above to me during a phone conversation on Sunday night.

“Residents of Anambra are therefore advised to freely accept and transact their businesses with the old currency notes (N200; N500; and N1,000) as well as the new notes.

“Residents should report any bank that refuses to accept deposits of the old notes. The Anambra State Government will not only report such a bank to the CBN but will also immediately shut down the defaulting branch.”

Vanguard/Punch/Simeon Ugbodovon

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Judiciary

Anambra Assembly Mourns Member

By Web News 413

The Anambra State House of Assembly has expressed deep shock over the gruesome murder of one of its members, Mr Okechukwu Okoye by unknown gunmen.

Mr Okoye who was the member representing Aguata Constituency two was kidnapped on the 15th of May, 2022.

In a press statement, the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Mr Uche Okafor says the Legislature received with shock the gruesome murder describing it as unfortunate and heartbreaking.

Mr. Okafor who describes late Okoye as one of the outspoken and articulated lawmakers noted that the Legislative Institution in the state has lost a quality member. 

The Speaker recalls the late Mr Okoye’s sense of humour, hospitality, and commitment to duty among other positive attributes, adding that his demise will really be felt in the House of Assembly.

He urges Governor Chukwuma Soludo not to relent in his efforts towards achieving maximum security of lives and property in Anambra state and called on well-meaning citizens to join hands with the governor in that direction.

Mr Uche Okafor while Commiserating with the immediate family of the deceased, his kinsman, Governor Soludo, and the entire Isuofia community on behalf of the members of the State House of Assembly enjoined them to take solace in the fact that the short but eventful life of the late lawmaker was full of quality service to God and humanity.

Late Okechukwu Okoye was the member representing Aguata constituency two including Isuofia from where governor Cukwuma Soludo hails. 

FRCN, Abuja/ Titilayo Kupoliyi

Politics

Soludo Sworn in as Anambra Governor

By Web News 575

Professor Chukwuma Soludo and his Deputy, Dr Onyekachi  Ibezim have officially been sworn in as the sixth democratically elected governor and Deputy Governor of Anambra State for a four-year tenure.

The new Governor and his Deputy were sworn in at a ceremony held at Government House Awka.

Professor Soludo and Dr Ibezim accompanied by their wives took the oath of office administered by the Anambra State Chief Judge, Justice Onochie Anyachebelu.

The event was a very low-key one as requested by Professor Soludo as it was devoid of the usual fanfare that accompanies such an auspicious event.

After the official swearing-in,  Governor Chukwuma Soludo inspected the guard of honour and consequently made his inaugural speech to the people of the State.

The new Governor thanked the people of the state for the privilege given to him and his Deputy, assuring that they would discharge their duty with utmost sincerity.

Professor Soludo used the occasion to pay respect to the gallant officers who lost their lives during a meeting with him in Isuofia in the course of electioneering, pledging to continue to support their families.

He described his predecessor as a great visionary leader who served the state meritoriously including the party and the good people of the state.

The Governor commended the Federal Government, the security agencies, INEC among others for exhibiting transparency in the conduct of the state governorship election last November which produced him.

While calling on warring parties to lay down their arms and partner the state government, Professor Soludo said that he won’t waste the state funds with fanfares.

He stressed that his administration would focus more on quality health care, education, power, provision of jobs for youths among others, maintaining that his administration would patronize only made in Anambra products.

He assured that he would conduct local government elections, resuscitate the State Independent Electoral Commission as well as collaborate with the Ministry of Justice for better justice delivery.

Professor Soludo hinted that the list of his commissioner nominees will be presented to the state House of Assembly for consideration in the next week whiles his principal officers would be announced without any delay.

Uche Udeke, Daniel Adejo