The Lagos State Judiciary has clarified that its officials did not reject old Naira notes, but rather, they insisted on electronic payments for courts bills due to large amount old Naira in its coffers which had been rejected by banks.
In a statement on Wednesday signed by the Acting Registrar, T.A. Elias, it said cash payments will now be accepted in order to ease the court processing for justice seeking litigants and lawyers.
The full statement reads:
RE: REJECTION OF OLD NAIRA NOTES
The attention of Lagos State Judiciary has been drawn to some news making the rounds on the rejection of old Naira notes by officials of the Court in Lagos. It has therefore become necessary to put the records straight.
As usual cash collected at our various Registries were taken to the Banks for deposit. On Monday 13th February, 2023, the Bankers refused to collect the cash. Under the Financial Regulations there’s a limit to how much cash, we could hold in house, and for security reasons too. We therefore had to consult the appropriate quarters on the development.
In the circumstance, the public was advised to make use of the existing electronic platform for payments whilst the development was being dealt with.
After due consultations today, the Lagos State Judiciary resolved to receive cash payments, alongside electronic transfers from the Public.
The Lagos State Judiciary wishes to reiterate that it is an integral part of the Nigerian Judiciary and holds tenaciously to the due administration of Justice and the Rule of Law generally.
DATED 15TH FEBRUARY 2023
T.A. ELIAS
AG. CHIEF REGISTRAR
