The Central Bank of Nigeria has promised to prosecute any individual caught selling or defacing the new naira notes.
This was according to a statement on Thursday, January 2, by the bank’s Director of Corporate Communications, Osita Nwanisobi.
In the statement by the apex bank’s Director of Corporate Communications, Osita Nwasinobi, the CBN expressed worries over the commercialization of the new notes, reiterating that it would partner with security agencies to address the issue.
The statement read in part,
“We wish to state unequivocally that, contrary to the practice of certain unpatriotic persons, it is illegal to sell the Naira, hurl (spray), or stamp on the currency under any circumstance whatsoever”.
It added that Section 21(4) stated that “It shall additionally be an offense punishable under Sub-section (1) of this section for any individual to hawk, sell or otherwise trade in the Naira notes, coins or any other note issued by the Central Bank.”