By Johnbosco Agbakwuru, Abuja
The Federal Government has stated that it will take decision on the legality of the old currency notes of N200, N500 and N1000 after the determination of the suit filed by some state governments at the nation’s apex court.
Three states, Kogi, Kaduna and Zamfara had dragged the federal government to the Supreme Court asking that the February 10 deadline by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, should be extended.
The court had fixed February 15 to detetmine the suit.
However, it was reported that the CBN has insisted that the February 10 deadline is sacrosanct.
Some Nigerians have accused the Federal Government and the CBN of contempt of court and insensitive to the hardship many Nigerians are passing through as a result of the scarcity of cash.
But the Federal Government last night said that decision will only be taken after the determination of the suit in the Supreme Court.
When contacted to comment on the position of government, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu said:
“We wish to state that it is not true that the Federal Government or the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN have taken a preemptive action on the legality of currency as a legal tender in view of the pendency of the case before the Supreme Court.
“The position of the government and the CBN will be made known upon the determination of the suit coming up tomorrow. Garba Shehu.”