21st February, 2023
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has branded wife of the President, Aisha Buhari a liar for saying that the apex bank has extended the use of old N200, N500 and N1,000 notes for the next 70 days.
Aisha had shared a statement purportedly emanating from the CBN on all her verified social media platforms that the apex bank had extended the use of the three old notes by 70 days.
The statement Aisha shared said: “Due to the current and unpleasant situation happening in Nigeria, in line with Mr. president, after having a closed meeting with him on the 20th of February, 2023, Central Bank Of Nigeria (CBN) has been directed to ONLY reissue and recirculate the old N200, N500 and N1000 banknotes and this is expected to circulate as legal tender for 70 days up to May 1, 2023. Members of the public should therefore continue to spend the old notes. Media practitioners are advised to PLEASE spread out this helpful information to the public.”
The statement was purportedly signed by Osita Nwanisobi, Director, Corporates Communications Department, Central Bank of Nigeria.
See statement shared by Aisha below:
Few minutes later after Aisha dropped the statement, the CBN issued a rebuttal and branded the statement the wife of the president posted as Fake News.
The bank posted the two statements side by side and said “beware of fake news.”
The CBN’s statement signed by Nwanisobi on its verified social media platforms read: “The attention of the Central Bank of Nigeria has been drawn to some fake and unauthorized messages quoting the CBN as having authorized the Deposit Money Banks to collect the old N200 and N1,000 Banknotes. For the avoidance of doubt, and in line with Mr. President’s broadcast of February 16, 2023, the CBN has been directed to ONLY reissue and recirculate the old N200 banknotes and this is expected to circulate as legal tender for 60 days up to April 10, 2023. Members of the public should therefore disregard any message and/or information not formally released by the Central Bank of Nigeria on this subject.
“Media practitioners are advised to PLEASE verify any information from the correct sources before publication.”
See CBN’s rebuttal below:
