First Bank Deletes Tweet Asking Citizens To Bring Their ₦‎1,000, ₦‎500 Notes

 First Bank deletes tweet asking citizens to bring their #1000, #500 notes to deposits after CBN deny such directives

Governor Ganduje Vows To Destroy Banks Refusing Old Naira Notes

 Any bank that refuses to accept old five hundred and one thousand Naira notes will be destroyed.”

Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has issued a stern warning to commercial banks operating in the state, threatening to destroy any bank that refuses to accept the old N500 and N1,000 notes.

The governor gave the word of caution on Friday during his inspection of palliatives meant for distribution to the citizens to cushion the effects of the hardship caused by the cashless policy.

“Any bank that refuses to accept old five hundred and one thousand Naira notes will be destroyed. We will not tolerate such disobedience from any financial institution operating within our jurisdiction,” he stated.

Governor Ganduje further disclosed that the space of the destroyed banks would be used for building schools, “We will convert the space of the destroyed banks into schools that will provide quality education for our children.”

Governor Ganduje’s spokesperson, Abba Anwar, defended the governor’s statement, stating that the state government has the power to take such measures to protect the interests of the citizens.

Anwar said, “The governor is not making an empty threat. The government has the power to take such measures if it is in the best interest of the people. The governor is determined to ensure that the people of Kano State do not suffer any undue hardship as a result of the cashless policy.”

As at the time of filing this report, none of the commercial banks operating in Kano State has made any official statement regarding the governor’s threat.

In conclusion, the governor’s stance on the issue of accepting old Naira notes has caused a lot of controversies, and it remains to be seen if the commercial banks will yield to his demand or face the consequences of their disobedience.

CBN Reversed Itself On Old Notes But Accused Media Of Fake News - Daily Trust

 Following the directive of President Muhammadu Buhari that Nigerians should take old N500 and N1000 notes to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), many thronged offices of the apex bank across the nation on Friday.

As early as 1am, people had lined up in front of the CBN office in Marina, Lagos, where there was an uncontrollable crowd.

Someone who got there at 6am said he was given tag number 406, meaning over 400 persons were in the queue earlier.

A Kaduna resident, Badamasi Aliyu, told Daily Trust that he was forced to relocate to a hotel close to the CBN office the night before so he could get there early enough.



However, Aliyu, who got to the CBN office at 3am, said he was given number 134 tag.


When the exercise got seemingly out of hand and the bank officials found it difficult to control the crowd that kept increasing with time, people were asked to return to their respective Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) to store old notes.


The CBN subsequently issued a directive to commercial banks to start collecting old N500 and N1000 notes.

In a memo sighted by Daily Trust, the apex bank directed Branch/Operational Managers of banks to commence collection of old naira notes.

“I am directed to convey Management of Central Bank of Nigeria directive that, all Deposit Money Banks to commence collection of old naira notes of N1000 and N500 from their customers with immediate effect.

“Please note that customers with amount of up to N500,000.00 and below can deposit into their bank account with their commercial bank. Any customer with amount more than N500,000.00 should be directed to CBN for deposit.

“Kindly comply accordingly. Thank you.”

To verify the authenticity of the memo, journalists had reached out to Osita Nwasinobi, Director, Corporate Communications Department, CBN, who confirmed that the directive was clear.


Moments after Nwasinobi confirmed the development, the report went viral on social media. Some Nigerians heaved a sigh of relief, saying they would move to their banks the next day.

Meanwhile, commercial banks had issued public noticed to customers to bring old notes, with effect from Saturday.

“Dear Valued Customer,

This is to inform you that our branches shall receive old N500 and N1000 notes of up to a maximum of N500,000 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira) after registration on the CBN portal. Please note that deposits of more than N500,000 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira) should be taken to the nearest CBN location.

“In addition, our branches will be open tomorrow, Saturday 18 February 2023 to receive old notes,” a notice issued by one bank read.

However, in less than an hour, Nwasinobi issued a statement claiming that the CBN did not authorise banks to accept old notes.

He not only reversed himself but accused the media of spreading falsehood.

“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 N500 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,” his statement read.

While the media was taking the heat as a result of wrong labelling by the CBN spokesman, commercial banks who had posted the notice on social media started pulling them down, triggering confusion.

A bank official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said: “I don’t understand their denials. The communication is genuine. Banks received the same directive from CBN. We are even directed to work Saturday and Sunday except on election weekend.”

A customer who had earlier filled the portal ahead of depositing old naira notes showed a message he received from CBN, directing him to go to Stanbic IBTC bank to deposit the money which was less than the amount being collected at CBN branches.

Total Deposit B

#500,000.00

“The total amount you have specified is less than or equal to #500,000. Kindly note that you are required to take the notes to your specified deposit money bank (STANBIC IBTC BANK PLC),” read the message from CBN.

Efforts made to reach Nwasinobi for further comments did not yield result at the time of filing this report as his line was switched off

Old Notes Below ₦‎500,000 Should Deposit In Customers' Banks - CBN, Kogi

 The Kogi State branch of the Central Bank of Nigeria has ordered individuals with less than N500,000 to visit their various banks to exchange them with new naira notes.

Checks at bank offices located at Hassan Katsina Road, Zone 8 in Lokoja revealed those with less than 500,000 were advised to visit their banks, Nigerian Tribune reports.

According to the Kogi Branch Controller of the CBN, Ahmed Sule, the apex bank is only giving attention to customers having above N500,000.
Sule said those with less amount are to visit their banks to swap their money.

As parts of efforts arising from the implementation of the policy on the deposit of the old naira notes, the apex bank launched a website for bank customers to register to deposit their old notes.

The website, referred to as ‘redemption of currency’ permits customers to “create a profile, generate a reference and print out a receipt to proceed to the nearest CBN branch to deposit the old N1000, N500, and N200 notes into their bank account

If El-rufai Is Not Arrested, Buhari Should Apologise To Nnamdi Kanu – Omokri

 Former Presidential aide, Reno Omokri, has reacted after the Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, dared President Muhammadu Buhari, insisting on the usage of old Naira notes in the state.

Naija News earlier reported that El-Rufai’s declaration countered President Muhammadu Buhari‘s pronouncement during his nationwide broadcast on Thursday morning.

The Nigerian leader had maintained that the naira redesign policy by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) stands.

Buhari said only the old N200 notes would be acceptable for transactions, while the old N500 and N1000 remain banned, as announced by the apex bank earlier. He had asked Nigerians to take the old denominations to the CBN and designated places.

However, in his statewide address on Thursday night, Governor El-Rufai declared that all the old Naira notes would remain legal tender in Kaduna until the Supreme Court of Nigeria decides otherwise.

In a post via Instagram, Reno Omokri described El-Rufai’s action against the Central Bank of Nigeria and Buhari’s broadcast as treason.

According to him, a state of emergency should be declared in Kaduna State with the Governor removed or arrested.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain opined that if El-Rufai is not arrested, then Buhari should apologize to the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu adding the Kaduna governor had done worst than the latter.

In his word: “What Nasir El-Rufai has done in defying the Central Bank of Nigeria’s directive and President Buhari’s national broadcast, by saying that the old Naira notes would still be valid in Kaduna, is treason.

“If a state of emergency is not declared in Kaduna, and the Governor removed, arrested, and tried, then Buhari should apologise to Nnamdi Kanu and release him. Because what El-Rufai has done is a worse case of treason than what Nnamdi Kanu allegedly did.”

Chaos In Mile 12, Lagos As Riot Breaks-Out Over Scarcity Of New Naira Notes

 Chaos in Mile 12, Lagos as hoodlums riot over scarcity of new Naira notes

There was unrest in Mile 12, Lagos State as hoodlums ri%ted over the scarcity of new Naira notes.

In Mile 12, Lagos state, hoodlums have started rioting because there aren’t enough new Naira notes in circulation. On the Mile 12 road, the hoodlums were spotted telling drivers to turn around as they gathered to launch their demonstration.

Makesense Media reports gathered that, The burning of tires on the road, however, has generated tension in the region, and people were spotted fleeing for their lives. As everyone attempts to reach safety, traffic is backed up along the route as a result.

How G-5 Governors, Other PDP Leaders Stand On Presidential Choice -

 Ortom, Mimiko, Duke, George, Anyim back Obi  

*Wike, Fayose lean towards Tinubu 

*Ugwuanyi now backing Atiku 

*Makinde, Ikpeazu still undecided

Eight days to the presidential bout of the general election, it appears the centre could no longer hold amongst the aggrieved G-5 governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and other leaders, who earlier shared their sentiments on the state of the party vis-à-vis their choice of presidential candidate. Although the self-styled leader of the group and Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, had announced different dates, when he would announce his choice candidate for the presidential race, he has yet to make any such public announcement. But with the elections some eight days away, it is becoming clearer how and where the G-5 and other party leaders, who would rather a southern president, stand as the election inches closer.

While the G-5 governors had secretly met with the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, a couple of times in London, Wike appears to be leaning towards Tinubu as his candidate, even though he has not publicly announced this, but after openly foreclosing any last minute deal with his party’s candidate, Atiku Abubakar. Wike, expectedly, is not alone in the support drive for Tinubu, a former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, though suspended, has also elected to back the former Lagos State governor, both on ethnic and regional sentiments. On their part, the Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom; former Ondo State Governor, Olusegun Mimiko; his Cross River State counterpart, Donald Duke; former Deputy National Chairman of PDP, Chief Bode George and former Senate President, Anyim Pius Anyim, have enlisted support for Obi.

While others have not clearly indicated their stand, Ortom, yesterday, crawled out of hiding, and declared support for Obi, asking Nigerians not to vote along party lines but vote individuals with credentials, character, competence, educational backgrounds and the mettle to deliver and revamp the socioeconomic fortunes of the country. In another breath, while the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde and the Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, have remained undecided, the Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, has retuned to the candidate of his party, Atiku, whom he warmly received recently, when the former vice-president visited Enugu for a presidential rally.

However, throwing more light on his support for Obi, Ortom, who was a guest at a town hall meeting for stakeholders across the 276 councils wards of the state organised by the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Makurdi, said both the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), had failed the nation. This is as the Benue State High Court, has issued an order of interim injunction, restraining the PDP, its National Working Committee (NWC), National Executive Committee (NEC) or its National Officers (elected or appointed) from expelling the governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom.At the same time, Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, yesterday, in Abuja, hinted that the agitation of the embittered G-5 governors of the PDP, was beyond the forthcoming 2023 general election.

Speaking on the sidelines shortly after the public presentation of the book, entitled: ‘The Biochemistry of Environmental Pollution’, co-author by him and Kalu Kalu Igwe, Ikpeazu, said all that the G-5 governors wanted was nothing but inclusiveness.However, addressing the townhall, Ortom, said the people must fashion out a new Nigeria that would give them equity, fairness, and justice as the nation inch closer to the general election and urged them to shun all partisan sentiments as the major parties today had failed the nation. He said Nigerians had come to a time where, “We must live out sentiments and safe Nigeria by looking at individuals, who can lead with the fear of God, provide gainful employment for the Youth.”

While observing that Obi surpassed all other candidates by age and capacity, he assured them that he would do the right things for the country hence “we all must give him the support to unite Nigeria and solve insecurity challenges in the country. ”Ortom, who openly threw his weight behind Obi, said among the top three contender, the former Anambra State governor remained outstanding hence he believed that the he would be able to root out insecurity and unite the country.“ They remain committed to the development of the country and that is why I have chosen to support them. If you make an analysis of the three front runners you will discover that Peter Obi’s quality is outstanding.

Did you see any other person insulting Peter Obi? Obi will do the right thing for Nigeria. “He will provide security and make sure we sleep with our two eyes closed. This thing is not about party. I am not in labour party but I am working for Peter Obi. You know I am also contesting election and I have others who are also contesting and for easy coordination vote for us in the party we are. “You can imaging the highest position Ahmed Datti attained in this country. He is a senator but you can see he has two universities. He is a young man, who is sound and willing to add more values to Obi’s value when they are elected,” he said. In his remarks via live screening, Obi assured the thousands of people who trooped out to the meeting that he would revamp the economy, provide jobs and infrastructure, as well as tackle insecurity in the country.


Makurdi High Court Bars PDP From Expelling Ortom

A Benue State High Court has issued an order of interim injunction, restraining the PDP, its NWC, NEC or its National Officers (elected or appointed) from expelling the governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom. Justice A.I Itoyonyiman issued the order on Thursday following a Suit with number MHC/46/2023, which was brought before the court on Wednesday, February 16th, 2023.

In the suit, Ortom is the Plaintiff/Applicant while Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were first and second Defendant/ Respondents respectively.The court, upon hearing the Affidavit of Hon. Abraham Kwaghngu, Politician, Nigerian Citizen of Governor’s Office, Benue State Government House, Makurdi, Benue State, sworn to and filed at the High Court Registry, Makurdi on 15th February, 2023 made the following order:“Restraining the 1″ Defendant/Respondent either by itself or its National Working Committee and/or it National Executive Council and/or its National officers (elected or appointed) and/or its North- Central Zonal Executive Officers (elected or appointed) and/or its Benue State Officers (elected or appointed) and/or its Guma Local Government Area Officers (elected or appointed) and/or its Nzorov Council Ward Officers (elected or appointed) or any of its other organs or officials (anyhow so called) from expelling, suspending or levying any other punishment on the Plaintiff/Applicant pending the determination of the Motion on Notice for Interlocutory Injunction.

“An interim order of injunction is also made restraining the 2nd Defendant/Respondent either by itself or any of its Officials/Officers/Directors/Departmental or other Heads/any other officer by whatever name called from receiving and/or acting upon any communication made by the 1st Defendant/Respondent seeking to disqualify from contesting or seeking not to be placed on the ballot paper the name of the Plaintiff/Applicant as the 1st Defendant’s candidate for the Benue North West Senatorial District in the 2023 general election pending the determination of the Motion on Notice for Interlocutory Injunction.

“An order of interim injunction is made restraining the 2nd or Defendant/Respondent either by itself any of its Officials/Officers/Directors/Departmental or other Heads/any other officer by whatever name called from refusing for whatever reason to place the name of the Plaintiff/Applicant on the ballot to contest the Benue North West Senatorial election slated for February 25th, 2023 or any other rescheduled dated pending the determination of the Motion on Notice for Interlocutory Injunction”.

Governor Ortom had earlier approached the court with the following demands: “An Order of interim injunction restraining the 1st Defendant/Respondent either by itself, or its National Working Committee, and/or its National Executive Council, and/or its National Officers (elected or appointed), and/or its North-Central Zonal Executive Officers (elected or appointed), and/or its Benue State officers (elected or appointed), and/or its Nzorov Council Ward Officers (elected or appointed), or any of its other organs or officials (anyhow so called) from expelling, suspending or levying any other punishment on the Plaintiff/Applicant, pending the determination of the Motion on Notice for Interlocutory Injunction.

“An Order of interim injunction restraining the 2nd Defendant/Respondent either by itself or any of its Officials/Officers/Directors/Departmental or other Heads/any other officer by whatever name called, from receiving and or acting upon any communication made by the 1 Defendant/Respondent seeking to disqualify from contesting or seeking not to be placed on the ballot paper the name of the Plaintiff/Applicant as the 1st Defendant’s candidate for the Benue North West Senatorial District in the 2023 general elections, pending the determination of the Motion on Notice for Interlocutory Injunction.

“An Order of interim injunction restraining the 2nd Defendant/Respondent either by itself or any of its Officials/Officers/Directors/Departmental or other Heads/any other officer by whatever name called, from refusing for whatever reason to place the name of the Plaintiff/Applicant on the ballot, to contest the Benue North West Senatorial election, slated for 25th February, 2023 or any other rescheduled dated, pending the determination of the Motion on Notice for Interlocutory Injunction.”

The matter has been slated for hearing on the 24th of February, 2023.

Speaking too, in Abuja, yesterday, the Abia State Governor, Ikpeazu, hinted that the agitation of the embittered G-5 governors of the PDP, was beyond the forthcoming general election.

Situating the anger of the G-5 governors, Ikpeazu said, “Let me say this to us, how I feel about G-5 is that, what we are trying to bring to the fore is beyond 2023 elections. It’s about inclusiveness, it is about what we think is the root and jugular of problems in Nigeria.

“If at a point in my life as a politician and you produced two or three critical officers of my party from one particular geopolitical zone, I will agitate. Even if they come from my zone alone, I will still agitate. This is about how we get everyone on the table. If you exclude people from the northern, western and southern Nigeria, I am also going to protest, everybody must be onboard.”

The Abia State governor maintained that there was need for social mobilisation in order to solve the economy and security problems of the country, stating: “You don’t put the cart before the horse, everybody must be carried along so that the leader can move forward because the problem of Nigeria today is not just security nor economic problem.

“The greatest problem today is lack of cohesion, disunity, mutual respect and suspicious. We must come together because this country belong to all of us under one God and the parameters must be the same. So, this is what it is and G-5 is beyond 2023.”

On his book, Ikpeazu said, “The essence of our being here is to solve problems and my study sojourn in the biochemistry will be in vain if I don’t make any contribution to the body of knowledge. So it was this drive that propelled me to keep at it until I achieved it. When I came over to the flip side of the public service to serve as governor, I thought that would have been a point of divergence and disconnection from my first love – biochemistry.

“but with time I looked at every issue and every problem of biochemistry. In 2013, I had the opportunity to serve as deputy general manager, Abia State Environmental Protection Agency, so as we were managing domestic waste, I also saw a dimension in terms of trying to explain the causes of the diseases we suffered because of the pollutants in the environment.

“So, biochemistry refused to leave me and I had to go back and pick it up. I feel very very fulfilled honestly, because this is a journey that I started over 20 years ago and it’s not been easy at all and to write a book in biochemistry does not leave you too much choice because there are rules, there are principles which you must reflect in your interventions. And so, for me, it is the icing on my cake as an academic. So, I feel fulfilled and very happy,” he concluded.