The accounts department of the Lagos State Judiciary, on Monday, stopped collecting old Naira notes as payment for filing court processes.
Reports say the decision arose from a directive by the official bank of the judiciary – Polaris Bank Plc – to reject old notes brought to the bank on the grounds that the old notes had ceased to be legal tender.
The development infuriated lawyers, who said it has deepened the crisis as Nigerians continue to grapple with the difficulty in accessing the new Naira notes as well as major network glitches being experienced with e-payment.
The Supreme Court’s interim order on February 8, 2023 restrained the CBN from enforcing the February 10 deadline for the use of the old Naira note.
The court gave the order as a temporarily ruling to the application filed by Kaduna, Kogi and Zamfara states while seeking to nullify the February 10 deadline.
The apex court fixed Wednesday, February 15 to hear the application of the three states, with the respondents – CBN and the Federal government – present in court, and having the opportunity to respond.