The Central Bank of Nigeria has issued a warning stating that it will investigate, arrest, and prosecute anyone found guilty of spreading fake news about the new naira redesign policy. The warning comes in response to a press release that was shared on the Instagram page of the First Lady, Aisha Buhari, which stated that the old N500 and N1000 notes would remain legal tender until May 1, 2023. The CBN stated that it would only follow the directive of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari, to reissue old N200 notes as legal tender until April 10, 2023.
In a statement jointly signed by the CBN‘s Deputy Governor, Corporate Services, Edward Adamu, and Director, Corporate Communications, Osita Nwanisobi, the bank stressed that the press release was fake and urged the public to ignore it. The statement warned that the CBN was working with law enforcement agencies to investigate and apprehend the culprits behind the 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,” the statement read.
