The Ekiti State Government has warned citizens not to reject old naira notes as a means of transaction, in line with the Supreme Court judgment, or face arrest and prosecution. Governor Biodun Oyebanji issued the warning through his Special Adviser on Media, Yinka Oyebode, on Saturday. He instructed banks to make the old notes available at all branches and pay points and urged traders, business owners, service providers, okada riders, drivers, filling stations, gas plants, supermarkets, schools, hospitals, and POS operators to accept the old notes immediately. “To do otherwise would amount to defying the ruling of the highest court in the country and thwarting government efforts at reducing the hardship of the people,” Oyebanji said. He added that the government would not hesitate to arrest and prosecute any business owner who rejects the old notes and appealed to all residents to abide by the Supreme Court decision, which extends the validity of the old notes until 31 December.
Similarly, the Abia State Government, through a statement by Secretary to the State Government Chris Ezem, threatened sanctions against any person, group, or business entity that rejects the old ₦500 and ₦1,000 notes for transactions. Ezem noted that the decision aligns with the Supreme Court ruling extending the legal tender status of the old ₦200, ₦500 and ₦1,000 notes to 31 December. He advised Abia residents to feel free to conduct financial transactions using both old and new notes as stipulated, warning that anyone who refuses the old notes would be contravening federal law and could face sanctions.
In Bayelsa State, Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy Ayibaina Duba called on business operators, banks, traders, and transporters to obey the Supreme Court ruling that allows the old notes to circulate alongside the new ones until the stipulated date. The 24‑hour ultimatum followed a peaceful protest in Yenagoa, where residents decried the rejection of old ₦1,000 and ₦500 notes by businesses, banks, filling stations, eateries, traders and transporters. Duba emphasized that the state is not opposed to the Central Bank of Nigeria’s naira redesign policy, but it is uncomfortable with the implementation method that has caused further hardship for the people.
Residents of Osogbo in Osun State expressed frustration over their inability to spend old ₦500 and ₦1,000 denominations despite the Supreme Court judgment. Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria, civil servant Adejare Agunloye said he withdrew ₦10,000 in old notes from an ATM but was disappointed when traders refused to accept them. Another resident, Ayoade Usman, recounted a near‑altercation with traders who would not take the old notes, questioning the point of withdrawing legal tender that businesses would not accept.
Lagos residents also voiced regret after collecting old ₦500 and ₦1,000 notes from commercial banks. Polytechnic student Matthew Aburime explained that after withdrawing ₦10,000, he could not spend the money because both traders and a commercial bus driver rejected it. Trader Daniel Okpulonu lamented that a bank official had told customers not to return the old notes to the bank, as they would not be accepted. He added that he is still carrying the money, unable to find a place to spend it, and called on the government to clarify its expectations, noting that Nigerians have already suffered enough since the policy’s inception.
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