metro
Naira Scarcity: President’s silence is inglorious – Right group

It is no longer news that Nigeria may soon swim in self-induced recession as a result of low trading activities caused by paucity of Naira notes which attracted wide outrage nationwide. Rights and Freedom Advocates (RIFA) noted, as a continuum of the earlier criticism of the policy, that the precarious situation led to protests and destructions of properties in some parts of the Country as a response to the anti-people Naira redesign policy of the Buhari-led government. It is also noteworthy that some Governors and patriotic citizens rose to the challenge culminating in the Supreme Court “relief judgment” that saved the Nation from executive recklessness. As if the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Emefiele has hypnotized everyone in the Buhari administration, none has raised a voice against the callous policy. In fact, the Attorney-General of the Federation that is supposed to defend the people is also defending the Emefiele toxicnomics (any policy that affects economic activities retrogressively)
In the meantime, on February 3, 2023, President Muhammadu Buhari was quoted to have requested seven days to do the needful. The President requested grace period expired on Friday February 10,2023. Unfortunately, till date the President is yet to address the Nation on what has been done to assure Nigerians of any meaningful action taken to ameliorate the economic situations in the Country. Or was the President oblivious of the need to give feedback to citizens after honouring him with cessation of protests? Is the President unmindful of the implications of his silence and or his associates do not know they need to ensure the President addresses the Nation in this critical situation assuming the President is unperturbed by the need to speak to the people?
READ ALSO:
- I’ll be hard on criminals, their networks, deviant policemen —New Lagos CP vows
- Old naira notes no longer legal tender, CBN warns Nigerians, banks despite S’ Court judgment
- Agba Jalingo to Ben Ayade, Police: Stop harassing, intimidating me with spurious criminal charges
The President at this crucial time must speak out as his silence is no longer golden. He should let the citizens know their fate as many banks and traders reject the old Naira notes against the pronouncement of the Supreme Court while many banks now hawk and trade new Naira notes even when Section 21(4) of the CBN Act abhor such practice when it provides that “it shall be an offence punishable under sub section 1 of the Section for any person to hawk, sell or otherwise trade in Naira notes, coins or any other note issued by the Bank”. Is this how the Nation will remain? Even though CBN has declared that old Naira notes are no longer legal tender, the law permits the citizens to take the one at their disposal to the banks and have it redeemed at any period. Nonetheless, the impunity which characterized Emefiele approach to change of the Naira notes deserves patriotic legal resistance as if this was the first time the Nation was changing its currencies. This is necessary so that Emefiele would not constitute another clog in the wheel of the development of Nigeria.
Furthermore, section 20 (3) of the CBN Act 2007 provides “ Notwithstanding sub-sections (1) and (2) of this section, the Bank shall have power, if directed to do so by the President to do so and after giving reasonable notice in that behalf, to call in any of its notes or coins on payment of the face value thereof and any note or coin with respect to which a notice has been given under this sub-section, shall, on the expiration of the notice, cease to be legal tender, but, subject to section 22 of this Act, shall be redeemed by the Bank upon demand”. This shows that it is incumbent on all authorized banks to collect the old Naira notes even after expiration of the deadline and when such notes are taken to CBN by the banks, the CBN must collect it for redemption. So, the CBN Governor’s insensitive release on the plight of the people where he was insisting on not allowing people to have sufficient cash for their daily activities is simply anachronistic and barbaric. So, is it because there is no sanction that the Banks are acting ultra vires by rejecting what the laws oblige them to collect indefinitely or because the CBN head is an accomplice in the whole saga? If the banks reject the notes from the individuals, are citizens expected to take the notes to CBN offices for replacement when CBN offices are mainly in State capitals and FCT? Is CBN legally authorized to attend to individuals? If yes, would that not expose CBN to insecurity and endanger its staff and their properties? These and more questions beg for answers
READ ALSO:
- Over three months to go, Buhari constitutes presidential transition council
- Emefiele misled, CBN not independent, must obey S’Court order – Falana
- Fuel/naira scarcity: Lagos govt distributes food, other items to residents
Similarly, section 20(5) of the Act provides that “ any person who refuses to accept the Naira as a means of payment is guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to a fine of N50,000 or 6months imprisonment”. Therefore, the President must speak out and announce to the Nation serious sanctions awaiting any saboteur bank which may be acting contrary to the laws. The Federal Government should fine, in hundreds of millions or billions of Naira, any bank that refuses to collect the currency from the public even after the stipulated deadline because the CBN Act gives no specific time limit for the Central Bank to redeem the outdated notes in as much as it is not lost, stolen, mutilated or imperfect note or coin (Section 22 of the CBN Act).
Now, the President or any authorized government official must tell Nigerians the situation report on Naira notes availability and the way forward. Or does the President want to leave everyone in the quagmire? The government cannot remain silent at this moment and expects people not to vent their anger. Whatever consequence government silence generates should not be blamed on the citizens but the lackadaisical government which tries to abdicate its responsibilities. It is either the Government speaks to the people now on the situation of Naira notes on whether more notes have been printed, circulated or not and state how it has been trying to improve the imbroglio. Nonetheless, RIFA urge the citizens not to dance to the tune of the miscreants who only participate in protests to steal, rob or cause havoc which would be detrimental to societal stability. It should be noted properties destroyed in any protest would only enrich the wealthy more as none of the protesters may be given the contract to rehabilitate destroyed properties. Besides, public members making use of such destroyed banks, properties or public places would face more hardship by having to spend more to access services that should have been accessed nearby had those banks, properties or public institutions not destroyed by the hoodlums during purported protests. Protest is a legitimate means of resistance but it yields result only when applied according to rules of the game. It is on this ground RIFA call on Nigerians to protest reasonably by calling on those at the helm of affairs to do the needful to save the Nation from the consequences of the excruciating Naira redesign policy of Mr Emefiele who would remain in the history of the Country as the worst CBN Governor with toxicnomic policies
Luqman Soliu,
President,
Rights and Freedom Advocates (RIFA)
metro
Omokri : How Tinubu’s political mastery started with Abiola, says El-Rufai, Obi’s forces can’t stop him

Omokri : How Tinubu’s political mastery started with Abiola, says El-Rufai, Obi’s forces can’t stop him
Reno Omokri, a former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, has credited President Bola Tinubu with playing a key role in the victory of the late Chief MKO Abiola during the annulled 1993 presidential election.
In a Facebook post on Thursday, Omokri argued that Tinubu’s influence and political acumen stretch far beyond recent elections, noting that opposition figures such as former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi lack the momentum to challenge Tinubu’s reelection in 2027.
“The recent seismic political realignments in Nigeria in favour of President Bola Tinubu should not surprise students of history,” Omokri wrote.
“Historical context is required to understand President Bola Tinubu. He did not start winning almost impossible-to-win elections in 2023. He is a veteran of such odds stacked against you elections.”
Omokri emphasized Tinubu’s pivotal role in Abiola’s 1993 campaign:”Many people forget or do not even know that then-Senator Bola Tinubu was Chief MKO Abiola’s right-hand man, helping him strategise and win the famed June 12, 1993 election upset.”
READ ALSO:
- Pep Guardiola, wife to ‘give marriage a second chance’ after Barcelona reconciliation meeting
- Groom cancels wedding, marries another lady same date, venue
- LP: Abure, Oti flex muscle as INEC studies Supreme Court judgment
He continued, “For roles requiring trust, with perhaps the exception of his son, Kola, and his late wife, Kudirat, there was nobody Chief Abiola looked to politically above then-Senator Tinubu. Even his political foe, Alhaji Sule Lamido, recently and grudgingly admitted it during an interview.”
Omokri described Tinubu as a uniquely skilled politician:”Hate him or love him, President Bola Tinubu is the best politician in Nigeria. He understands human nature, anticipates betrayal before it happens, and plans ahead for it.
“He also forgives easily, where there is repentance, and is able to work on the basis of no permanent enemy or friend but permanent interests.”
According to Omokri, Tinubu’s strength lies in his personal approach to politics:”But perhaps his biggest selling point is his relationship building abilities. The man knows how to reach out and touch people at the point of their need instead of waiting to get them by appealing to their greed, like his opponents.”
Looking ahead to the next general election, Omokri expressed confidence in Tinubu’s political future:”As long as God spares his life, I do not see anyone who can stop his reelection in 2027. Certainly not Nasir el-Rufai, who could not deliver his state to the APC when he was in office, how much more now that he is an out of office has been.”
He concluded with sharp criticism of Obi’s political approach:”And neither can Peter Obi, who has been exposed as an Islam-hating ‘Yes Daddy’ opportunistic politician.”
Omokri : How Tinubu’s political mastery started with Abiola, says El-Rufai, Obi’s forces can’t stop him
metro
US indicts Oladapo Fadugba over $690,000 scam, false citizenship

US indicts Oladapo Fadugba over $690,000 scam, false citizenship
Oladapo Fadugba, a Nigerian-born United States citizen, faces 27 years in jail for his alleged involvement in a $690,000 wire fraud operation and making false representations to earn US citizenship.
Chronicle NG gathered this in a statement by the US Attorney for the District of Florida, Gregory Kehoe, obtained on Wednesday.
According to Kehoe, Fadugba was charged with various counts, including wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and making false claims throughout his naturalisation process.
According to Kehoe, between October 2020 and July 2023, the suspect allegedly stole $690,000 in money from the US Department of Veterans Affairs that was intended for reimbursement to a large local healthcare provider.
It was also stated that Fadugba utilised another person’s identity to arrange transfers to various bank accounts under his control.
READ ALSO:
- Groom cancels wedding, marries another lady same date, venue
- LP: Abure, Oti flex muscle as INEC studies Supreme Court judgment
- Islamic Forum: Essentially, who is the successful person on earth? By Afis A. Oladosu
The statement read, “According to the indictment, beginning on October 30, 2020, and ending no later than July 11, 2023, Fadugba had more than $690,000 of Department of Veterans Affairs funds, intended for reimbursement to a large local healthcare provider, transferred to his personal bank accounts.
“Fadugba then wrote cheques to himself or to businesses associated with him, which were subsequently transferred to other bank accounts under his control. It is alleged that he used the identification of another individual to carry out these transfers.”
In addition, Fadugba is accused of lying under oath during his US naturalisation proceedings by falsely claiming that he had never committed a crime for which he had not been arrested.
According to Kehoe, if the defendant is convicted on all counts, he faces a maximum term of 27 years in federal prison and a forfeiture of $400,000, which represents proceeds from the alleged offences.
“The indictment further alleges that Fadugba, a naturalised US citizen from Nigeria, made a false statement under oath during his naturalisation proceedings by claiming he had not committed any offence or crime for which he had not been arrested.
“If convicted on all charges, Fadugba faces up to 27 years in federal prison. The indictment also includes a notice that the United States is seeking a forfeiture order of $400,000, which reflects the approximate proceeds of the criminal conduct charged,” the statement added.
Kehoe concluded by mentioning that “an indictment is merely a formal accusation of criminal conduct, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.”
US indicts Oladapo Fadugba over $690,000 scam, false citizenship
metro
Groom cancels wedding, marries another lady same date, venue

Groom cancels wedding, marries another lady same date, venue
The solemnisation of holy matrimony between a groom, Henry James, and Miss Afiniki Ibrahim was reportedly called off few days to the occasion.
The wedding scheduled to have been held on the 12th of April, 2025, in Saminaka, Lere Local Government of Kaduna State, was called off after the bride was discovered to be pregnant.
Our correspondent gathered that the bride was discovered pregnant after a series of tests were conducted by the Evangelical Church of West Africa (ECWA).
It was gathered that the doctrine of the church stipulates that every couple is mandated to carry out several tests by the church medical team in a bid to ascertain their compatibility and to ascertain if the ”bed has been defiled”.
A source who spoke to our correspondent on the condition of anonymity revealed that Miss Afiniki was discovered pregnant after the tests were carried out.
READ ALSO:
- Islamic Forum: Essentially, who is the successful person on earth? By Afis A. Oladosu
- FG announces 2025/2026 overseas scholarship for graduates (See how to apply)
- Man beats brother’s wife to death in Jigawa
However, the groom-to-be distanced himself from the pregnancy, saying he did not have any knowledge of her throughout their courtship.
The discovery prompted Henry to call off the wedding.
In a dramatic twist, it was gathered that the secretary asked the disgruntled groom to marry Miss Godiya, a member of the church who had once rejected his love advances.
The secretary it was gathered, spoke to Godiya, who, in turn, expressed her readiness to marry Henry.
With her acceptance, Henry and Godiya tied the nuptials on the same date, same venue he was to marry his pregnant ex-fiancée.
Groom cancels wedding, marries another lady same date, venue
-
metro3 days ago
Rivers: Tinubu meets with Fubara, may lift his suspension
-
metro2 days ago
I’m not in supremacy battle with Ooni, says new Alaafin
-
Entertainment1 day ago
P-Square: Jude Okoye freed after two months detention
-
metro3 days ago
Bandits attack Kwara North, kill vigilante, six others
-
Business2 days ago
Nigeria’s gas production increases by 15.6% to 227,931.65 mscf
-
metro1 day ago
Niger Gov Bago makes U-turn on dreadlocks ban after backlash
-
News1 day ago
Just in: Factional Zamfara assembly leaders want governor to represent budget
-
Politics1 day ago
Labour Party collapses into APC in Plateau