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Governor Bello Muhammad Matawalle of Zamfara State has ordered for the arrest of any person who refuses to accept the old currency notes of two hundred, five and One thousand naira in the state.
Governor Bello Matawalle stated this at the swearingnewly-in ceremony of new High Court Judges and newly appointed Special Advisers which held at Government House Gusau, the state Capital.
He said the old currency notes remain legal tender until the final verdict of the case instituted against the Central Bank of Nigeria and the federal government by three Northern Governors of Kaduna, Kogi and Zamfara States at the supreme court.
Governor Matawalle explained that, he and his counterparts of Kogi and Kaduna states are seeking the supreme court to order the extension and validity of the old 200, 500 and 1000 naira notes to a long period of time.
He expressed happiness that the old currency is now valid and people can still use them in business transaction and other financial and commercial purposes
According to him, the economy of the country as a whole has been plunged into a serious crisis by the decision of the Central Bank to cease recognition of the old naira notes as legal tender from February 10th.
He further stated that, the Supreme Court has given an interim injunction barring the CBN from enforcement of its plan of derecognizing the old notes as legal tender from February 10th, pending its final ruling on the matter on February 15th.
Governor Bello Matawalle also commended the Supreme Court for doing the needful, which he said will alleviate the suffering of the masses, especially people in the rural areas.
He said the courageous decision by the Supreme Court has no doubt saved the country from sliding into a crisis of great proportion that may affect the peace and stability of the country and possibly prevent the holding of the general elections billed for this month.
SANI DUTSINMA
