In a key ruling on Wednesday, the Supreme Court granted the federal government’s request to extend the lifespan of the old N200, N500 and N1000 banknotes that were recently redesigned.

A seven-member panel headed by Justice John Okoro ordered that the older notes can continue to be used as legal tender until the necessary infrastructure is in place for a smooth transition to the new notes.

“The old currency shall coexist as legal tender alongside the newly designed notes,” the court stated in its judgment.

The federal government’s motion was moved by Attorney General Lateef Fagbemi, who argued that more time was needed to address logistic constraints in distributing the new notes across the country.

In reviewing its earlier order to demonetize the old notes by December 31st, the Supreme Court said the notes can remain legal tender until the government decides to withdraw them after further consultation and preparedness.

The ruling comes as a relief for many citizens that have faced difficulties accessing the new currency, providing more time for an orderly phase-out of the older banknotes.