The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has ordered the Police and other agencies to prosecute sellers and abusers of the Naira as well as approved direct over the counter payment of the redesigned banknotes, to ensure that queues at the Automated Teller Machines, ATMs disappear.

This is contained in a press release on Thursday, 2nd February, 2023, via their Twitter handle.

The Apex bank reversed its initial ban on over the counter payment, as against the earlier directive of paying only through the ATM, says it is worrisome, as there are reported cases of unregistered persons and non-bank officials swapping banknotes for members of the public, purportedly on behalf of the CBN.

While reassuring Nigerians that queues at ATMs will soon be a thing of the past, it stated unequivocally that, contrary to the practice of these unpatriotic persons selling the new notes, it is unlawful to sell, hurl, spray or stamp on the currency under any circumstances, whatsoever.

Story: Christy Dung

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