News & Announcements

Police officers in Katsina State detained 15 individuals on Friday on suspicion of plotting to tamper with the outcome of the general elections in 2023.

The arrest was verified on Friday night by SP Gambo Isah, a spokesman for the Katsina State Police Command.

He clarified that the men were detained in Katsina together with an unknown number of laptop computers and software that was purported to be associated with a well-known political organization.

He added that an inquiry was already underway and that the soldiers were being held at the command’s Criminal Investigation Section.

He stated, “We arrested fifteen suspects with unspecified numbers of laptops and apps belonging to a political party. We have commenced investigation and we don’t want to jump the gun.We have already invited experts to conduct investigation on the items as we don’t want to jump the gun. We shall make public the outcome of the investigation.”

On Saturday morning, Katsina State was generally calm because security personnel had already positioned themselves in key spots, such as the communities where polling would take place and other important areas throughout the state.

Also, there are limitations on both automobile and pedestrian travel across the state.

Moreover, security personnel were seen at all state entry and exit points.

Few hours before the much-awaited 2023 Presidential Election, a former member of the Federal House of Representatives and supporter of the PDP Presidential candidate, Hon. Chinyere Igwe was allegedly arrested in the early hours of Friday morning along Aba road in Port Harcourt with over Five Hundred Thousand US Dollars ($500,000.00).

Igwe once represented Port Harcourt II in the House of Reps between 2007 and 2011. He’s presently the Commissioner for Rivers State Urban Development.

He claimed the whooping $500,000.00 was given to him by Atiku to ensure his electoral success in Rivers State.

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami has said the President, Muhammadu Buhari, did not breach the Supreme Court’s injunction as regards the naira redesign and currency swap issue.

The AGF said as far as the rule of law is concerned, there are many options available.

Malami made the declaration on Friday during the 67th ministerial press briefing at the state house.

Recall that a seven-member panel of the Supreme Court had ordered the suspension of the naira swap deadlines and directed the continued use of the old notes, following a request by three state governors.

However, in a broadcast, the president only restored the validity of the old 200 notes, maintaining that the old 500 and 1000 notes had ceased to be valid, a declaration that stirred various reactions across the country.

On this, legal luminary, Mike Ozekhome, said Buhari has no powers to override the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

In his latest statement regarding the Naira Redesign and naira Swap crisis which has left many Nigerians confused, the Senior Advocate of Nigeria said Buhari’s national broadcast on the issue was more like a military tyrant’s contemplation.

He added that Buhari’s “imperious order was a frontal call to chaos, anarchy, and national upheaval.”

Meanwhile, ten states have asked the Supreme Court to set aside the pronouncement of President Muhammadu Buhari banning old N500 and N1,000 notes.

The governors, in Suit No SC/CV/162/2023, filed on Friday by their counsel, A.J. Owonikoko (SAN), wants the apex court to declare the President’s directives in his Thursday’s broadcast as unconstitutional.

The plaintiffs in the suit are the Attorneys General of Kaduna, Kogi, Zamfara, Ondo, Ekiti, Katsina, Ogun, Cross River, Sokoto, and Lagos states while the defendants are the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), as well as the AGs of Bayelsa and Edo states.

The plaintiffs, in 12 grounds of application, argued that Buhari’s directive extending the validity of old N200 notes for 60 days and his ban on old N500 and N1,000 notes is an “unconstitutional overreach and usurpation of the judicial power” of the Supreme Court being that the case is already before the court.

The counsel for the applicants cited Section 232(1), Section 6(6)(b), and Section 287(1) of the 1999 Constitution as amended, which includes the protection of the Supreme Court’s dignity and ensures compliance with its orders by all persons and authorities.

“Contrary to the order of the Honourable Court, the substantive 1st defendant through the President of the Federation, and its agent, the Central Bank of Nigeria, have repeatedly released statements that the old Naira Notes are no longer legal tender, hence resulting in misleading the general public on what the status quo to be complied with, pendente lite should be,” the relief partly read.

On Thursday, US President Joe Biden urged Nigerians to exercise patience and restraint as poll officials tabulated their ballots.

Prior to the polls on Saturday, February 25, Biden praised political parties and presidential candidates for signing the peace agreement in a statement from the US Embassy in Nigeria.

In order to exercise their right to vote and have their voices heard, Biden urged Citizens turn out on election day.

The statement quoted the US President as saying, “I commend yesterday’s peace accord in Nigeria, signed by the political parties and candidates running in Nigeria’s presidential election on February 25.

“By signing this pledge, the parties and candidates have committed to accept the results of the election, as announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission, and to support a peaceful transition of power.

“Elections are a fundamental part of a functioning democracy, and all Nigerians deserve this chance to choose their future — freely and fairly.  While the United States does not support any single candidate or party, we strongly support a peaceful and transparent process that reflects the will of the people of Nigeria.

“On election day, I encourage all Nigerians — no matter their religion, region, or ethnicity —to exercise this fundamental freedom and make their voices heard — including young voters, many of whom may be heading to the ballot box for the first time.

“The United States stands with the Nigerian people as they chart a path toward a more democratic, prosperous, and secure future.  I appreciate President Buhari’s firm commitment that the will of the people will be respected.

“And in the coming days, I encourage voters to remain peaceful and patient as their ballots are tallied, and urge the political parties and candidates to live up to their pledge.”

The United States gave $25 million to Nigeria on Thursday to help it hold free, honest elections.

This was revealed by Mary Leonard, the US ambassador to Nigeria, during a roundtable discussion with journalists in Abuja.

Leonard praised Nigeria for maintaining a stable and peaceful democracy and mentioned that the US had cooperated with the Independent National Electoral Commission in preparation for the upcoming vote.

She added “So, we have long been involved in democracy and governance through programmes in Nigeria and probably we are spending about 25 million dollars with particular reference to this election.

“We are doing many things. First of all, we are sponsoring and independent observation mission with some very high-powered delegation, US veterans, they are independent of us but we have played a role in facilitating.

“We have worked with INEC itself, on sort of the technical aspects, for example, we trained some 1,800 technical workers on how to trouble shoot the BVAS and those people in their turns have trained hundreds of thousands of other people.

“So that come election day, if there is any trouble with the technology, people will be around to know how to fix it.

“I think we have had a well-rounded interaction regarding this election and again we are really looking forward to see the peaceful elections.”

She added that every Nigerian has the responsibility of ensuring a peaceful process, also urging leaders to take their commitments seriously.

The presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, today said President Muhammadu Buhari’s expected hard work for his bid in Saturday’s poll would benefit the country. 

Tinubu made the declaration during a rally held at Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere in Lagos State, serving as the grand finale of the APC presidential campaign, reports Channels TV.

Addressing Buhari, the former Lagos governor said, “Mr. President, I have so much to say but I’ve kept you for too long and it’s not today. But I assure as you work hard for me, I’ll work hard for Nigeria.

“As you give Nigerians the hope to renew their faith in their country, I will sustain that hope.

“Those who look helpless today will be helpful in this country. All the agenda set in our programme – Renewed Hope manifesto – will be pursued diligently, vigorously, with all our energy.”

Expressing appreciation to the president, Tinubu said the former had set the country’s feet on the path to the future, to achieve greatness because, according to him, it is desirable for Nigeria to be great.

“You said, for anybody to succeed you, he or she must work hard, must follow the law, that the election must be very transparent, and that your party will be a shining example like a sun shining on the mountain,” the APC candidate said.

According to him, Buhari followed “the procedure” and encouraged “all of us”.

He added that when June 6, 2022, the Presidential primary was held, stakeholders waited “anxiously” and he emerged victorious.

“You didn’t ask them to reverse it, based on my religion. You didn’t ask them to alter it, based on my tribe. You didn’t ask us to change it, because I was not from your village in Daura. You celebrated [and] said to me, ‘Congratulations’,” Tinubu said.

Choosing A Running Mate
The former governor shed light on the decision of who would be his running mate.

“I came to you to nominate for me – just exactly as I did to you in 2015 – a vice president,” Tinubu said. 

“But instead of giving me the same coin, you said no, you know better, you experienced better.”

Attributing the country’s trajectory to Buhari’s “courage” and “confidence”, the APC candidate said the president’s leadership, vision, and determination are for growth and independence of mind.

“You encouraged me and after that, I announced to you [I’ve] made my choice. I chose one of those most known, most knowledgeable, very close individuals and independent in thought, attitude, capacity, and knowledgeability.”

Bourdillon Celebration

In his address to the teeming supporters at Teslim Balogun Stadium, Tinubu thanked them and charged them to exercise their franchise, assuring them of a celebration in his Bourdillon home.

“I have to thank you, the majority of you, in the Yoruba language: Ese, mo dupe lowo yin (thank you, I’m grateful to you). Oju ooni ti yin (You won’t be disappointed). From Ojuelegba to Ikeja, Somolu, Bariga, Alimosho, Bourdillon,” he said.

“Do you want me to become president?” he asked, to which the crowd chorused in the affirmative.

“I have reminded you that we’ll celebrate in Bourdillon,” he told the supporters.
“If you people don’t elect me, there won’t be a celebration.

“I beg you in the name of God, cast your votes, take your younger ones along, remind your mothers. Please, come out to vote. Even if you have money or you don’t have money, come out.

First Lady, Aisha Buhari has dissociated herself from a post claiming the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had extended the validity period for old N,1000, and N500 notes by another 70 days.

The message, which was later tagged as fake news by the CBN, was sighted on the First Lady’s verified Instagram handle on Tuesday but was later pulled down.

‘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, the 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,” the release reads.

However, in another post on the same verified Instagram handle, Mrs. Buhari denied posting the release but alleged her account had been hacked. 

He said the fake post was another attempt at smearing her image by the same persons responsible for deleting many of her social media posts in the past.

According to her, she immediately ordered the fake press release to be taken down from her handle when it was discovered.

She tasked security and intelligence agencies to investigate and bring the culprits to justice.

“It has come to my attention that certain fake news was posted on my social media handle, Instagram, which also directly connects to my Facebook page, earlier this morning. I have since directed that it should be deleted.

“This is without a doubt the criminal actions of the person(s) who were responsible for deleting quite a number of my posts from 2018 to late last year when I posted a video and picture of my hands with the henna design of ABAT insignia on the day I launched the APC Women Presidential Campaign Committee for Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Ilorin, Kwara State, my post on the event for the Traditional and Complementary Alternative Medicine (TCAM) conference and 17 other posts.

“This person is a hacker, criminally minded with the intention to continue attacking my reputation through my social media platforms.

“But I am assuring you that this is the first and last I am disclaiming fake news on my handle. It is the responsibility of the security agencies to find out who am I sharing my social media handles with, despite being verified accounts, and take all necessary actions,” the post reads.

An employee of the Lagos State University Johnson Adesola has died while waiting in a queue to withdraw money at a bank on the institution’s main campus in Ojo.

According to reports, Adesola, identified as an official of the varsity’s bursary department, left his office for a branch of Wema Bank within the school premises to withdraw cash on Monday.

A few minutes after he joined a queue at the bank, he was said to have slumped and was thereafter taken to the varsity’s health centre where he was confirmed dead.

The university’s acting head of the information and public relations unit, Olaniyi Jeariogbe, confirmed Adesola’s death.

“Yes, (it is true). As you and I know, death is a natural call. It can come at any point in time for anyone of us. He (Adesola) was at the bank arena to get some cash for himself, not for the university, when that call (death) came.

“All efforts to revive him went unproductive. It wasn’t something that anybody was expecting to happen, it was unfortunate,” Jeariogbe said.

He, however, dismissed claims that it was the institution’s bursar that passed away.

“We have not, as an institution, lost the deputy bursar or bursar. Our bursar, Saheed Babatunde Olayinka, is alive, hale, and hearty. The deputy bursar is also alive. We have about five deputy bursars in LASU and none of them is dead.

“The person affected is Johnson Ademola Adesola who, until his demise, was chief executive officer, of accounts, in the bursary department. He was also the faculty finance officer, in the faculty of law, before the sudden incident.

“He joined the services of Lagos State University on January 10, 1986 as a typist II before he rose to become the chief executive officer, accounts,” the university’s image maker added.

The development comes amid the queues and protests trailing the naira scarcity across the country.

The Western Nigeria Security Network code-named Amotekun Ekiti State has arrested a 50-year-old man, Celestine Nwoha, with fake naira notes.

Addressing newsmen in Ado Ekiti, the Commander of the corps, Retired Brigadier Joe Komolafe, said the suspect was arrested in Omuo Ekiti, Ekiti East Local Government.

He said: ”The suspect went to a local area in Omuo and started spending the money before we got a hint and went after him.

“He said he specializes in buying kola and bitter kola, saying he was also paid with cash in Lagos.

“On interrogation, he confessed to the crime and said he was given N250,000 from a factory in Lagos, but only N100,000 was found with him as he had spent some.”

Komolafe said the command would hand him over to the police for further investigation.

Brigadier Komolafe urged members of the public to be careful, especially during the current cash crunch, so as not to fall victim.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday adjourned judgement in the new naira policy suit to March 3, 2023.

The court, which heard the case on Wednesday, was filled to capacity with a retinue of Senior Advocates of Nigeria and other lawyers.

The Court had temporarily banned the implementation of the February 10 deadline of the CBN from making the old N200, N500 and N1,000 notes legal tender.

The Zamfara, Kogi and Kaduna states had instituted the suit against the Federal Government and the CBN.

Other states, namely Niger, Kano, Ondo, Ekiti, had also applied to be joined in the suit against the CBN and the Federal Government.

Lagos State, through its Attorney General, Moyosore Onigbanjo, also applied, seeking to be joined in the suit.

Bayelsa State, led by Damian Dodo, had also applied to be joined in the suit as a respondent.

Similarly, Edo State applied to be joined as a respondent.

The Association of Corporate Affairs Managers of Banks (ACAMB) has denied trending social media messages that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) ordered Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) to shut down services for five days because of the Presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for February 25, 2023.

This was revealed in a statement signed and released by President of ACAMB, Rasheed Bolarinwa on Wednesday.

The social media had for days now been flooded with vague messages of alleged instructions from the apex bank to DMBs to shutdown services a day to the commencement of the polls.

This has created tension amongst Nigerians with many in last minute rush to withdraw cash to stock up their homes.

However, ACAMB, the umbrella body of Corporate and Marketing Communications Professionals working in Nigeria’s banking sector said the purported message did not emanate from the CBN nor any of the DMBs.

“The attention of the Association of Corporate Affairs Managers of Banks (ACAMB), the umbrella body of Corporate and Marketing Communications Professionals working in Nigeria’s banking sector, has been drawn to the trending social media message purporting that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) was shutting down banking services for five days from Thursday, 23rd to Monday 27th February 2023 because of the general elections holding in Nigeria over next two weekends.

“ACAMB hereby wishes to debunk the fake news in its entirety and wishes to assure Nigerians and the banking public that there is no iota of truth in the viral message that is being circulated.

Up until this moment, no Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) or other institutions providing financial services have received any directive or communication from the CBN to close the doors of their physical banking halls or shut their digital platforms and online banking channels against their customers because of elections.