Gloria Ogbu
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ekiti State council on Wednesday called on the Ekiti State government to sanction banks, filling stations and business ventures rejecting the old naira notes.
The Union expressed their concern over the rejection of the old naira notes as against the supreme Court directive in a statement signed by it’s Secretary, Kayode Babatuyi in Ado Ekiti describing such action as an affront to the rule of law, hence it appealed to the state government to use the instrument of the law to correct the situation.
Recall that the supreme Court had last week ordered the Federal Government from proceeding to stop the use of the old banknotes from February 10, 2023.
However, in Ekiti State, both banks, filling stations and business ventures have stopped receiving the old notes while some even go further to reject mobile transfer of money.
According to the statement, the rejection of the old notes especially now that the new ones were scarce has further compounded the hardship of ordinary Nigerians and encouraged POS operators to continue to extort Nigerians.
It reads: NUJ Ekiti State condemns in strong term the attitude of banks in the state and other business ventures which have continued to reject the old notes.
“We see this action as an aberration and disrespect for the rule of law which must not be tolerated to avoid setting a bad precedence.
“The union hereby call on the Ekiti State Governor to shut down banks and business ventures rejecting the old notes so as to serve as deterrent to others in such unlawful act.
While sympathizing with Nigerians and Ekiti people over the current difficulty, the union urged them to remain calm and law abiding.