Stakeholders have continued to express concerns over plans by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to impose a fine of N150 million on Deposit Money Banks found guilty of giving out illegal flow of mint naira notes to currency hawkers across the country.
The questions on the lips of most Nigerians, who have been watching the local currency being traded at various social events in major cities, particularly, Lagos, are, among others, which institution is incharge or supervises the minting and printing of currency, monitors its distribution?
As the banker to banks and federal government, what does CBN discuss at its Bankers’ Committee meetings with the chief executives of banks, does the lender of last resort know the actual amount of cash in the system and does the planned imposition not amount to failure of action on the part of CBN and why has it not been able to identify and punish the culprits using serial numbers and codes for distribution to the banks?
“Is the CBN telling the public that it is now ready to impose sanctions on crimes that have been willingly and willfully committed by allegedly known culprits without any action for likely lack of political will or pecuniary interests of those assigned with the responsibilities at the bank,” queries a concerned citizen.
However, CBN’s is said to be part of measures to curb the commodification of Naira notes, which it agrees undermines efficient cash distribution to Nigerians.
A statement signed by Sidi Ali Hakama, acting director of corporate communications, reaffirmed that these 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.
CBN 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 the apex bank’s determination to address the commodification of the naira.
Under the directive, any branch of a financial institution found culpable will face a penalty of N150m for the first violation.
Subsequent infractions, the CBN warned, 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.
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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 CBN further urged DMBs to strengthen controls, processes, and procedures around their Cash Management Centres, branches, and teller operations to prevent their systems from being exploited for illegal transactions.