“Business owners that refuse the Old 500, 1000 notes as legal tender will be sanctioned ” – Abia gov.

The Abia government has stated that it will penalize any individual, team, or company that refuses to use the 500 and 1,000 naira notes for commercial transactions.

The threat was made public in a statement that Mr. Chris Ezem, the state’s secretary, provided to journalists in Umuahia on Saturday.

Ezem claimed that the choice was consistent with the Supreme Court’s order extending the legal tender status of the previous 200, 500, and 1000 naira notes through December 31.

“Abia State Government advises Abia residents to feel free to carry out their financial transactions with the old naira notes alongside the new notes as stipulated.

“Any individual, group or business entity that rejects the old notes will be contravening the law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and stands the risk of facing sanctions,” Ezem added.