CBN imposes N150m fine on banks issuing new notes to hawkers

The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has imposed a fine of N150 million on Deposit Money Banks found culpable of issuing illegal flow of mint naira notes to currency hawkers across the country.

This was contained in a statement by the acting Director of Corporate Communications of the apex bank, Sidi Ali Hakama in Abuja.

The move was after the apex bank addressed recent misinformation about the validity of the old N1000, N500, and N200 banknotes still in circulation.

The statement reaffirmed that the denominations remained valid legal tender in line with a Supreme Court ruling issued on November 29, 2023, and warned against hoarding.

Following the clarification, CBN in a circular signed by the Acting Director of the Currency Operations Department, Mohammed Olayemi on Friday, said it was concerned about the increasing prevalence of mint naira notes being traded by hawkers.

The apex bank described the practice as impeding efficient and effective cash distribution to customers and the general public.

The circular, which referred to an earlier directive dated November 13, 2024, highlighted CBN’s determination to address the commodification of the naira.

According to the directive, any branch of a financial institution found guilty will face a penalty of N150m for the first violation.

The apex bank warned that any subsequent infractions would attract stricter sanctions under the provisions of the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act, BOFIA, 2020.

To ensure compliance, the apex bank stated that it would increase periodic spot checks in banking halls and ATMs while deploying mystery shoppers to uncover illicit cash hawking spots across the country.

The circular read, “The CBN has noted with dismay the prevalence of illicit flow of mint banknotes to currency hawkers and other unscrupulous economic agents that commodify Naira banknotes, thus impeding efficient and effective cash distribution to banks’ customers and the general public.

“CBN will continue to intensify the periodic spot checks to the banking halls/ATMs to review cash payouts to banks’ customers, as well as mystery shopping to all identified cash hawking spots across the country.

“In this regard, any erring deposit money banks or financial institutions that are culpable of facilitating, aiding, or abetting, by direct actions or inactions, the illicit flow of mint banknotes to currency hawkers and unscrupulous economic agents that commodify Naira banknotes shall be penalised at first instance N150,000,000.00, One hundred and fifty million Naira, only, per erring branch, and at later instances, apply the full weight of relevant provisions of BOFIA 2020,” the statement read.