CBN Vows To Detain, Penalize Anyone Distributing False Naira Information
Anybody distributing false information on the naira redesign strategy has been threatened with an investigation, an arrest, and legal action by the Central Bank of Nigeria.
This threat was contained in a statement released by the CBN’s Edward Adamu, Deputy Governor of Corporate Services, and Osita Nwanisobi, Director of Corporate Communications, on Tuesday.
In response to a fictitious press release that was posted on Aisha Buhari’s Instagram profile and claimed that the old N500 and N1000 notes will continue to be valid until May 1, 2023, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) threatened to track down the author of the statement.
The apex bank emphasized in its statement that it will only follow the president’s order to reissue old N200 notes as legal cash till April 10, 2023, Muhammadu Buhari.
The statement read, “The attention of the Central Bank of Nigeria has been drawn to a FAKE PRESS RELEASE purported to have emanated from the Bank to the effect that President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the reissuance and release of old N500 and N1000 notes as legal tender in the country.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Central Bank of Nigeria reiterates that in line with the directives of Mr. President, only N200 old notes are to be reissued and to circulate concurrently with the new notes.
Members of the public are therefore advised to ignore this fake news.
“The Bank is working with law enforcement agencies to investigate, apprehend and prosecute the purveyors of this fake news. Please be guided accordingly.”
