By Cajetan Mmuta
The Anambra State Governor, Prof. Charles Soludo has threatened to close any commercial Bank that refuses to pay or accept the old naira notes from customers in the state.
He advised residents of Anambra to freely accept and transact their businesses with the old currency notes (N200; N500; and N1,000) as well as the new notes.
Soludo stayed this in a state announcement which he personally signed and made available to newsmen on Monday in Awka the state capital.
He reiterated that commercial banks have been directed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to dispense old currency notes and to also receive the same as deposits from customers.
He explained that 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 state Governor pointed out that the Governor of the CBN gave the directive at a Bankers’ Committee meeting held on Sunday, 12th March 2023.
According to him, “The Governor, Dr Godwin Emefiele, personally confirmed the above to me during a phone conversation on Sunday night.”
Soludo urged residents to report any bank that refuses to accept deposits of the old notes. Anambra State Government will not only report such a bank to the CBN, but will also immediately shut down the defaulting branch.
