The Nigerian central bank has said the recently demonetized ₦200, ₦500 and ₦1,000 banknotes will remain legal tender until Dec. 31, 2023. The central bank statement, which reaffirms a Supreme Court ruling that extended the lifespan of the demonetized naira banknotes, followed a rebuke of the CBN by the outgoing Nigerian president, Muhammadu Buhari.
Central Bank’s Silence and the Resulting Speculation
The Central Bank of Nigeria finally issued a statement on March 13 reaffirming a Supreme Court ruling which extended the lifespan of the recently demonetized naira notes. In the statement, the CBN said the ₦200, ₦500 and ₦1,000 banknotes would “remain legal tender alongside the redesigned banknotes till December 31, 2023.”
After the Nigerian Supreme Court ruled against the central bank’s decision to demonetize the old naira banknotes, the CBN initially did not issue a statement directing banks and the public to accept the old notes. CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele, as well as the outgoing Nigerian president Muhammadu Buhari’s silence reportedly led to speculation that the central bank would not abide by the court’s decision.
STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE
PRESIDENT BUHARI NEVER TOLD A.G. AND CBN GOV TO DEFY SUPREME…
