The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is collaborating with the Nigeria Police, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) to address the hardship faced by people in getting cash from banks, other financial services providers, and check the unpatriotic practice of hoarders.
In line with this resolve, the CBN Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele, has directed deposit money banks (DMBs) to commence the payment of the
redesigned Naira notes over the counter, subject to a maximum daily payout
limit of N20,000.
The apex bank warned Nigerians, particularly those at social functions such as birthdays, weddings and funerals, to desist from disrespecting the Naira or risk being arrested by law enforcement agencies.
Osita Nwanisobi Director, of Corporate Communications of the CBN who disclosed this on Thursday in a statement issued in Abuja, also admonished members of the public to embrace and adopt other payment channels for their transactions.
While reiterating its commitment to Nigerians to ensure the effective
distribution of the newly introduced Naira banknotes, the CBN urged the people to exercise patience as the apex bank is working assiduously to address the challenge of queues at ATMs.
The statement reads in parts,
“The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has observed, with grave concern, the activities of persons who sell the newly redesigned banknotes and those who flagrantly abuse the legal tender by hurling wads of Naira notes in the air and
stamping on the currency at social functions.
“We have equally noticed the queues at Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) across the country and an upward trend in the cases of people stocking and aggregating the newly introduced banknotes they serially obtain from ATMs for
reasons best known to them.
“Also worrisome are the reported cases of unregistered persons and non-bank officials swapping banknotes for members of the public, purportedly on behalf of the CBN.
“We wish to state unequivocally that, contrary to the practice of these unpatriotic persons, it is unlawful to sell the Naira, hurl (spray), or stamp on the currency under any circumstance whatsoever.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Section 21(3) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act 2007 (As amended) stipulates that “spraying of, dancing or matching on the Naira or any note issued by the Bank during social occasions or otherwise
howsoever shall constitute abuse and defacing of the Naira or such note and shall be punishable under the law by fines or imprisonment or both.”
“Similarly, Section 21(4) states that “It shall also be an offence punishable under Sub-section (1) of this section for any person to hawk, sell or otherwise trade in the Naira notes, coins or any other note issued by the Bank.”
The CBN reminded the public that the “Naira is our legal tender and symbol of national pride. Therefore, let us respect it and handle it with care”.
