PEOPLES GAZETTE
Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara has directed security agencies in the state to arrest those rejecting the old naira notes, saying that it was against the constitutional rights of citizens.
“Anyone who refuses to accept the old currency notes of N200, N500, and N1000 in the state should be arrested,” Mr Matawalle said in a statement by his media aide, Jamilu Iliyasu, on Saturday.
The governor spoke during the swearing-in of four newly-appointed High Court judges and nine special advisers to beef up justice administration and other affairs.
Mr Matawalle, who described the naira redesign policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) as good, however, noted that it came at the wrong time, making it challenging to implement.
The governor noted that the old currency notes remained legal tender until the final verdict of the Supreme Court on the matter.
“Myself, Kogi and Kaduna states counterparts are seeking the Supreme Court to order the extension and validity of the old 200, 500, and 1000 naira notes.
“As you are all aware, the economy of the country has been plunged into a serious crisis by the decision of the CBN to cease recognition of the old Naira notes as legal tender from February 10.
“This decision compounded the already dire situation of our state, occasioned by banditry and sundry crimes, which significantly disrupted economic activities in the state and the sub region over the years,” Mr Matawalle said.
The governor said he considered the consequences of the policy, hence, his decision to team up with other states in dragging the federal government to court.
“Our aim is to ensure that both the new and old naira notes remain as legal tender beyond February 10.
“The apex court has already given an interim injunction barring the CBN from enforcement of its plan of derecognizing the old notes as legal tender from today, pending its final ruling on the matter on February 15,” he said.
He added, “This courageous decision by…
