On Sunday, Ademola Adeleke, the governor of Osun State, condemned banks for mistreating their customers by refusing to accept old N500 and N1,000 notes.
The commercial banks in the state were turning down deposits of the old currency even after paying customers with the same old notes, according to information provided to the Osun State government.
Olawale Rasheed, the governor’s spokesperson, lamented the pain and suffering of the people of Osun State as a result of the banks’ actions in a statement.
The governor acknowledged that he was aware of the numerous complaints made by the public regarding the banks’ refusal to accept old naira deposits and the consequently unfavourable effects on society.
“I have received several calls from bank customers across the state. The deliberate refusal of banks to collect old notes is creating serious economic complications for residents of the state. For the banks to issue old notes and refuse to accept old notes as deposits is highly unacceptable.
“I have consequently called on the Central Bank of Nigeria to direct the banks operating in the state to correct the anomalies. The State Director of the CBN is specifically requested to direct the banks to halt this unhealthy practice,” Adeleke stated.
While calling for a stop to the pain inflicted on the people of the state, Gov Adeleke maintained that if banks will not accept old notes as deposits, they should stop issuing the same old notes for withdrawal.
It was reported in February that Adeleke had warned commercial banks operating in the state against hoarding the new naira notes and rejecting the old currency.
On March 3, 2023, the Supreme Court in a judgment directed the Federal Government to extend the deadline for the spending of the old N200, N500 and N1,000 till December 31, 2023.
However, one week after, the imbroglio of the naira persists.