The Central bank of Nigeria has urged Nigerians to be guided as it is working with law enforce agencies to prosecuted and apprehend the purveyors of fake news.
The CBN made this announcement on Tuesday, not long after first lady Aisha Buhari posted a press release saying that her husband, President Muhammadu Buhari, had ordered the CBN to reissue and circulate old “N200, N500, and N1000 notes.”
However, CBN has said that it’s attention has been drawn to a fake press release believed to have emanated from the bank saying that the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari has approved the use of old N500 and N1000 naira notes as legal tender in the country.
The CBN then reiterated, “In line with the directive of the President, only N200 notes will be reissued and circulated concurrently.
“The bank is working with the law enforcement agencies to invest, apprehend and prosecutors the purveyors of this fake news.”
The First Lady, an ally of the All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, shared a fake press release attributed to CBN on her Instagram page on Tuesday.
The post has now been deleted. Her spokesperson, Suleman Hassan, however, said that he is unaware of the development.
The fake press release read thus: “Due to the current and unpleasant situation happening in Nigeria, after having a closed meeting with Mr. President on the 20th of February, 2023, Central Bank Of Nigeria 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.”
