Presidential Directive On N200 Notes Stands, CBN Insists

 The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on Tuesday said President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive on the N200 notes still stands.

Buhari in his nationwide broadcast on February 16 directed the apex bank to only reissue and re-circulate the old N200 banknotes. The old N200 is expected to circulate as legal tender for 60 days up to April 10.

In a statement, the CBN dismissed some media reports that the President approved the reissuance and release of the old N500 and N1000 notes as legal tender in the country.

It described the reports as fake news, pledging to work with security agencies to unravel the perpetrators of the misleading reports.

“ The attention of the Central Bank of Nigeria has been drawn to a FAKE PRESS RELEASE Purported to have emanated from the Bank to the effect that President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the reissuance and release of old N500 and N1000 notes as legal tender in the country,” the statement read.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the Central Bank of Nigeria reiterates that in line with the directives of Mr. President, only N200 old notes are to be reissued and to circulate concurrently with the new notes. Members of the public are therefore advised to ignore this fake news.

“The Bank is working with the law enforcement agencies to investigate, apprehend and prosecute the purveyors of this fake news.   Please be guided accordingly.”

 

I Won’t Lose Faith In My Methods, Says Chelsea Boss Graham Potter

 

Chelsea’s English head coach Graham Potter gestures on the touchline during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Southampton at Stamford Bridge in London on February 18, 2023. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP)
Chelsea manager, Graham Potter, has said he will not budge on his tactics and philosophy as this is what has gotten him to this stage in his coaching career.

The London club fell to a 1-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge courtesy of Southampton’s captain, James Ward-Prowse classic.

This will be the first loss for Chelsea after three consecutive draws and a victory in five matches which sees them occupy an unusual 10th position in the Premier League log.

Speaking in a post-match interview, Potter dismissed any form of trepidation when asked if he was losing faith in his choice of tactics during the game

‘No, I do not lose belief or faith in his methods. I know it is football and sometimes this happens,’ Potter said after the match,” Potter said after the match.

The 47-year-old has managed two wins in his last 14 games, in spite of this the former Brighton boss believes these results are part of the game and his qualities will soon yield fruits

‘I know my qualities. I know what I have done in my career, and I understand when results do not go your way you are open to criticism, and that is fair.”

‘This is the world we’re in. There is a transition and factors [to our results], but at the same time it is a motion, and the team is losing so you can understand. I am not stupid or naive, my job is to keep going and help the team through this tough period.

 

‘You can only be yourself and try your best. I get it, when you’re losing there is always something that you can do or change. I have always been this way [calm on the touchline] and it has got me to this point. At the same time, I can understand if people want something different.’

Bemoaning his injury-hit squad Potter added, “We are managing quite an unprecedented injury list, so you have to manage that also in the Premier League. All these things are true but unfortunately, when you lose, it is not what people want to hear.’

Not Good Enough

Similarly, English defender Ben Chilwell believes the team was not good enough in their  match against the Saints and they need to work hard to achieve the desired results

‘Again, not good enough. I can stand here and say we created chances as I said in Dortmund, but it doesn’t really mean anything. We need to win these games,’ he said.

‘It is easy to say, but we really do have to work hard and turn this around, and the only people that can do that are ourselves” he said.

‘It is never nice for a very competitive group that wants to win stuff. Some of us a few years ago tasted winning a major trophy and then to be in this situation now, does not feel good at all.

‘It is understandable that the fans are not happy. They expect Chelsea to win matches which we also expect.’

 

 

 

Elections: US Embassy Alerts Citizens In Nigeria On Possible Protests

 

A logo of US Embassy

The United States Embassy in Nigeria has alerted its citizens in Nigeria on possible protests and restricted movements on February 25 and March 11.

In a notice on its website, the Embassy advised its nationals to avoid rallies as “they can turn violent with little or no notice”.

 

The Embassy also advised American citizens in Nigeria to have three days of food and water at home in case movement restrictions are extended beyond election days.

The notice was titled, ‘Security Alert – Possible Protests Leading to Elections and Restricted Movements on Election Days’.

“The Government of Nigeria will restrict the movement of all personal vehicles on election days across the country,” it read in part. “Information from the Government of Nigeria indicates that only law enforcement personnel and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)-accredited election observers will be allowed to move freely along the roads.”

 

“Please be advised that movement restrictions may be extended at any time. Be alert to Government of Nigeria information about the restrictions.”

Protests broke out across states in Nigeria amid scarcity of new naira notes and petrol last week. Banks and Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) were vandalised by frustrated Nigerians whose moneys are trapped in the banking system.

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari last Thursday banned old N500 and N1,000 notes and extended the validity of old N200 notes till April 10, 2023 but at least 10 governors have approached the Supreme Court to step aside the directive of the President in the case set to hear on February 22.

Victim Testifies As Ekweremadu’s Organ Harvesting Trial Continues

 

A photo combination of former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, and his wife, Beatrice Nwanneka Ekweremadu

The trial of former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu continued on Monday at the Old Bailey court in Central England, the United Kingdom.

Ekweremadu is standing trial for allegedly plotting to harvest the kidney of a 22-year-old street trader. Also being tried alongside the Nigerian lawmaker are his wife – Beatrice, 25-year-old daughter Sonia, and a doctor, Obinna Obeta.

They are accused of conspiring to exploit the man for his organ.

Channels Television had on February 6 reported how the four accused persons appeared in London’s famous Central Criminal Court, known as the Old Bailey, for the start of the trial, after previously pleading not guilty. They face life imprisonment if convicted.

In Britain, it is legal to donate a kidney, but not for reward. Prosecutors say regardless of whether the Lagos street trader gave his consent, a crime was committed by the wealthy Nigerians.

At the continuation of the trial on Monday, Channels Television’s correspondent, Juliana Olayinka who witnessed the proceedings said the victim told the court the version of his story.

The court’s gallery was filled with people who were eager to monitor the events in the temple of justice.

Speaking through an interpreter, the victim said he arrived in the UK on February 20, 2022, to provide his kidney to Sonia Ekweremadu.

“For the first time ever, we have been hearing from a key witness which is a 22-year-old alleged victim who has been giving his own testimony via a video link. He has been speaking through an interpreter,” Olayinka said.

 

“Today marks the actual day, this time last year, that he arrived in London. We know what happened after that arrival if you have been following this case extensively.

“He, of course, was to come to the United Kingdom to provide his kidney for Sonia Ekweremadu who suffers from a severe significant kidney disease.”

Ekweremadu and his wife, Beatrice were arrested by the British police on June 23 last year on allegations of human trafficking and organ harvesting that violate the country’s Modern Slavery Act.

The Ekweremadus and the doctor are accused of conspiracy to arrange the travel of another person with a view to exploitation, under UK legislation on modern slavery.

Prosecutors said the defendants allegedly planned to have a kidney removed from the man so that it could be given to Sonia.

 

 

 

 

 

Banks Torched As Naira Scarcity Protest Rocks Ogun

 

Protesters in Ogun on Monday, February 20, 2023

At least three banks were torched on Monday as protest over scarcity of new naira notes rocked the Sagamu area of Ogun State.

The police spokesperson in the state, Abimbola Oyeyemi, confirmed the development in a telephone chat with Channels Television.

According to him, Union Bank, First Bank and Keystone Bank branches were attacked by protesters on Monday.

He, however, said policemen have been deployed to the area to quell the situation.

“We are in Sagamu now. The place is seriously burning,” Oyeyemi said. “They attacked Union Bank and First Bank as well as Keystone Bank. We are there right now.”

Similar protests  broke out across states in Nigeria amid scarcity of new naira notes and petrol. Banks and Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) were vandalised by aggrieved citizens whose moneys are trapped in the banking system.

President Muhammadu Buhari last Thursday banned old N500 and N1,000 notes and extended the validity of old N200 notes till April 10, 2023 but at least 10 governors have approached the Supreme Court to step aside the directive of the President in the case set to hear on February 22.

The cash crunch and consequent riots come just a few days to the February 25 Presidential and National Assembly elections, spreading fears about the safety of voters on Saturday but the police and other security agencies have assured citizens of maximum safety amid the polls.

‘Criminal Elements To Exploit Protest’

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Frank Mba, has assured residents of the state of the resolve of the Command to protect lives and property, prevent breakdown of law and order, and improve public safety and security.

The CP further noted that intelligence at the disposal of the Command indicates that some criminal elements are planning to take advantage of  the challenging economic situation to disrupt the peace being enjoyed in the State.

He therefore warned that the Police, will not fold its arms and allow persons with criminal intentions, to hide under any guise whatsoever, to unleash mayhem on residents, private and public property, and critical national infrastructure, including banks and offices of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The CP assured that necessary security architecture has been emplaced to protect the peace loving people of the state.