Barely 27 days to the deadline for people to exchange their old naira notes with the newly redesigned N200, N500 and N1,000 notes, banks are still dispensing old notes to their customers.
The situation currently causing some apprehension among bank customers in Nigeria is coming 20 days after the release of the just redesigned notes to the banks by the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Many Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) across the country are still dispensing the old notes.
Daily Sun also reported that the situation was not any different at the banking halls where old notes are being given out.
Indeed, its investigation revealed that bank customers across parts of Lagos (Ajah and Oshodi) are agitated that the new notes have remained out of reach.
They have therefore called on the Federal Government and the CBN to extend the deadline to allow adequate circulation of the notes.
The CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, had said the new notes would be circulated across the country by December 15, 2022.
The apex bank also set a deadline of January 31, 2023 for all the old N200, N500 and N1,000 notes to be withdrawn from the financial system and would cease to be legal tender.
Emefiele stated that the new notes had already been dispensed to the banks who would in turn dispense to their customers.
He also advised Nigerians to deposit the denominations to be redesigned to their various banks, saying that banks would be opened for operations from Monday to Saturday weekly.
New Naira Notes
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A countdown clock which is visible on the CBN’s website, shows January 31, 2023, as the deadline for the affected notes to cease as legal tender.
However, bank customers who used the ATMs in parts of Lagos, Abuja and other states of the federation during the holidays up until yesterday, after the Yuletide holidays complained that the ATMs were still dispensing only old notes and sceptical about the January 31, deadline, urging the apex bank to extend its date.
Mr Uchenna Madabuchi, a spare parts dealer at Oshodi, said, “When the CBN came out with the redesigned notes announcement, I knew there would be flaws as I told my friends, the notes would not circulate properly due to the ‘Nigerian factor’.
“I came to the ATM hoping to get new notes but it is still dispensing old notes. I hope the CBN is looking into this and I suggest they extend the deadline so that Nigerians, especially bank customers would have access to these notes.”
When Daily Sun visited one of the new generation banks at Ajah, it was discovered that the ATM was still dispensing old notes as well.
On inquiry as to why the situation had remained the same, an official of the bank noted that the ATMs might start dispensing the new notes at the end of January 2023, the deadline for the withdrawal of the old notes.
(Sun with minimal editing and new headline)
Two Arrested for Smoking on Air Peace Flight from South Africa – Police
The Lagos Airport Police Command has concluded plans to arraign two passengers accused of smoking and engaging in unruly conduct onboard an Air Peace flight from South Africa to Lagos, an incident that allegedly triggered the aircraft’s emergency smoke alarm and caused panic among passengers and crew. The command disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday by its spokesperson, ASP Mohammed Adeola, identifying the suspects as 51-year-old Enaruna Prince Aghama and 43-year-old Tony Ajayi. According to the police, Aviation Security (AVSEC) personnel handed the two men over to officers at the International Airport Police Division after the aircraft landed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, for investigation, setting the stage for what could be a landmark prosecution of aviation safety violations in Nigeria.
Preliminary findings indicated that the incident occurred at about 7:44 p.m. on Thursday, July 9, 2026, while the aircraft was en route to Lagos. “Preliminary investigation revealed that at about 1944hrs on 9th July, 2026, while aboard an Air Peace flight from South Africa to Lagos, the suspects lit and smoked cigarettes inside the aircraft, an action which activated the aircraft’s smoke detection and emergency alarm system, causing panic and anxiety among passengers and cabin crew,” the statement read. The activation of the smoke alarm forced the crew to investigate and take action to ensure the safety of all onboard, creating a tense atmosphere as passengers became aware of the potential threat.
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Police further stated that investigators found the suspects were in possession of an alcoholic beverage and allegedly refused to cooperate with cabin crew members who attempted to enforce safety regulations. The statement added that the pair “became uncooperative and verbally aggressive when cabin crew members attempted to de-escalate the situation and enforce established safety regulations, thereby further disrupting the orderly conduct of the flight”. The suspects’ refusal to comply with crew instructions reportedly escalated the situation, requiring additional intervention from the flight crew to prevent further disruption.
The suspects were reportedly part of a group of Nigerians evacuated from South Africa amid ongoing tensions over xenophobic attacks. Their conduct, however, has drawn sharp condemnation from aviation authorities, who have made it clear that such behavior will not be tolerated regardless of the circumstances. Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police, Airport Command, CP Ogunbode Olufunke, condemned the alleged actions of the passengers, describing them as a threat to aviation safety. “Any act capable of compromising aviation safety or disrupting the orderly operation of an aircraft is unacceptable,” she said, underscoring the seriousness with which authorities view such violations.
Olufunke added that the command “remains committed to the strict enforcement of aviation security laws and the protection of the lives of passengers, crew members, and all airport users”. She also appealed to air travellers to comply with lawful instructions issued by airline operators and aviation officials, stressing that “maintaining discipline and orderly conduct aboard aircraft is a shared responsibility essential to safe air travel”. The police said the suspects would be arraigned before a court of competent jurisdiction upon the conclusion of the ongoing investigation, with authorities signaling that a strong message would be sent to deter others from similar conduct in the future.
“I Just Learned I Filed for Divorce” – Nnamdi Kanu’s Wife Breaks Silence
Uchechi Okwu-Kanu, wife of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has refuted reports alleging that she has initiated divorce proceedings against her husband, describing the claims as “entirely false” and “misinformation”. In a statement shared on her verified X account on Friday, Okwu-Kanu said she was compelled to respond following the circulation of what she described as false online reports claiming that she had filed for divorce. She wrote: “For the avoidance of doubt, I have not filed for divorce. The publication is entirely false and should be treated as misinformation”. Reacting to the rumours with a mixture of humour and dismissal, she posted on X: “Good conscious evening, my blessed Biafrans. I have just learned that I filed for Divorce while my husband is in prison”. The post, which included laughing emojis, appeared to mock the online reports that had claimed she filed for divorce following years of alleged infidelity, financial neglect, and family interference.
Okwu-Kanu lamented the spread of unverified stories about her family, saying it was disturbing that some individuals continued to circulate fabricated information without confirming the facts. According to her, such actions “undermine responsible journalism”. She also appealed to members of the public to obtain information concerning her only from her or through her authorised representatives, and expressed appreciation to those who reached out to verify the reports before sharing them. Her response has been widely shared across social media platforms, with many of her followers commending her for addressing the rumours directly and with dignity.
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Nnamdi Kanu and Uchechi Okwu-Kanu were married in 2009. The IPOB leader is currently serving a life sentence at the Sokoto Custodial Centre after being convicted on terrorism-related charges by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja in November 2025. The court found him guilty on all seven counts, sentencing him to life imprisonment on five counts, 20 years on one count and five years on another, with the sentences ordered to run concurrently. The conviction has attracted widespread attention both within Nigeria and internationally, with human rights groups and political figures expressing concerns about the trial and the conditions of his detention.
Kanu has since challenged the judgment, filing a notice of appeal before the Court of Appeal on February 4, 2026, seeking to overturn both his conviction and sentence. The appeal, which contains 22 grounds, alleges fundamental legal errors and a miscarriage of justice. Among the grounds, Kanu contends that the trial court delivered judgment while a preliminary objection challenging the competence of the charge and his bail application remained pending, and that he was convicted under a law that had been repealed. The appeal process is ongoing, and legal observers are closely watching to see whether the appellate court will grant Kanu’s request for a new trial or uphold the lower court’s decision.
“I Just Learned I Filed for Divorce” – Nnamdi Kanu’s Wife Breaks Silence
NIS Releases Step-by-Step Guide for Contactless Passport Renewal Abroad
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has released an updated step-by-step guide to help Nigerians living abroad renew their passports through its Contactless Passport Application System, eliminating the need to visit an embassy or high commission for biometric enrolment. The Service announced the update on its official X account, encouraging eligible Nigerians in the diaspora to take advantage of the digital platform, which simplifies passport renewal and reduces administrative barriers. The initiative is part of the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to digitise passport services, reduce processing delays, and improve access for Nigerians in the diaspora. Since its launch, the Contactless Biometric Passport Application System has successfully processed and issued over 15,000 passports to Nigerians abroad.
According to the NIS, applicants are required to follow the steps below:
Visit the official NIS Passport Application portal
Click “Continue” from the pop-up window
Select “Apply for Renewal/Re-issue”
Create an account and verify identity using National Identification Number (NIN) and date of birth
Complete the application form and choose the preferred Nigerian embassy or high commission for processing
Upload all required supporting documents
Pay the passport booklet fee
Obtain the Application ID and Reference Number
Select the “Contactless” option under the “Application Status/Book Appointment” section
Review the instructions and click “I Understand and Opt In”
Download the NIS Mobile App from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store
Sign in or create a profile on the app
Select “Passport Application Services” , then “Passport Biometrics Enrolment”
Enter the Application ID and Reference Number to check eligibility
If eligible, proceed with facial image capture, fingerprint enrolment, and liveness verification
Pay the contactless enrolment fee and submit biometric data electronically
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The contactless option is not available to all applicants. The NIS clarified that applicants who are declared ineligible during verification will be required to return to the application portal and schedule a physical appointment at their chosen embassy or high commission. According to the Service, an “INELIGIBLE” response means the applicant must complete the remaining process in person at the designated diplomatic mission. Those eligible for contactless renewal include Nigerians between 18 and 60 years, applicants with not more than six months to the expiration of their current passports, and those applying for re-issuance of existing passports.
Applicants who successfully complete remote biometric enrolment must still send the required documents to their selected processing mission. These include the printed application form, passport booklet payment receipt, biometric enrolment payment receipt, current passport, and a self-addressed return envelope.
The NIS added that applicants can begin tracking their passport applications two weeks after submission through the online tracking platform at https://track.immigration.gov.ng or via the NIS Mobile App.
The NIS has acknowledged recent technical challenges encountered by some Nigerians in the diaspora while using the Contactless Biometric Passport Application System, assuring the public that its technical team is actively working to resolve these issues. Applicants who do not receive their payment One-Time Password (OTP) are advised to check their spam folders. For further assistance, applicants can reach the NIS Support Team through the following channels:
In-App Chat: Select “Support” → “Chat with Us”
Email: support@immigration.gov.ng
X (Twitter): @nigimmigration
Instagram: @nigimmigration, @nis_response
Facebook: @nigimmigration, @nis-response
Contact Center Numbers: 09121900655, 09121556359, 09121477092 (Mondays to Fridays, 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.)
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