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Petition signatures to Emefiele over new naira hit 1653..

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2 years ago

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Petition signatures to Emefiele over new naira hit 1653

 

Following the crisis over the non-availability of the redesigned N100, N200, N500 and N1000, over 1653 Nigerians have petitioned the Central Bank Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele, to end what they termed ‘hardship’ on the citizens.

 

The petition, hoisted on the global change website, change.org, which was started on Friday, garnered over 1653 signatures on Saturday.

 

As of the time of filing this report, many bank customers have yet to access the new notes as many automated teller machines are either not dispensing cash or completely shut down because of the crowd.

 

Protests have erupted over the situation in some parts of the country and some banks vandalised by hoodlums, demanding access to their money lodged in several accounts.

 

 

 

There have also been controversial videos showing bank officials sabotaging the process by hiding the new notes behind old ones in vaults.

 

The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), has requested seven days from Nigerians to fix the mess.

 

Part of the petition stated, “The recent shortage of physical cash in Nigeria has caused major untold hardship to Nigerians. People are spending hours in long lines at banks just to withdraw cash, and many are forced to rely more on digital transactions which tend to be unreliable due to poor bank networks.

 

POS operators also charge outrageous amounts; as much as N1000 for a N10,000 withdrawal. The Central Bank of Nigeria has stated that the shortage is temporary, but it is causing serious disruption to the daily lives of many Nigerians.

 

“We call on the government, stakeholders, law enforcement agencies and the CBN to take urgent action to address the cash shortage crisis in Nigeria. We demand that the CBN increase the distribution of physical cash to meet the demand, and also any POS operator found charging outrageous amounts for withdrawal should be arrested.’’

 

Meanwhile, the National Association of Nigerian Students has expressed displeasure over the issue, noting that the process was not only ill-timed but also not well thought out.

 

Speaking to Sunday PUNCH during a telephone interview on Friday, National Vice President (External Affairs), Akinteye Afeez-Babatunde, said, “The whole situation is crazy. We are tired. Students are crying and complaining. They can’t get cash. The leaders have confirmed to us that they don’t care for the people. The policy is fine but the process to get it done is to the detriment of our own lives as Nigerians. Our day-to-day activities have been disrupted. Nigerians are suffering.’

 

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Just In: Tinubu Set To Embark on  Two-weeks Annual Leave.

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20 hours ago

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October 2, 2024

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced a two-week annual leave

 

According to Bayo Onanuga Special Adviser to the President (Information & Strategy) President Bola Tinubu will depart Abuja today for the United Kingdom to begin a two-week vacation, part of his yearly leave.

 

He will use the two weeks as a working vacation and a retreat to reflect on his administration’s economic reforms.

 

He will return to the country after the leave expires.

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Alleged Corruption : El-Rufai denies allegations, vow to swear on Quran….

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1 day ago

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October 2, 2024

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A former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has asserted that his entry into politics was driven solely by a desire to serve the people, not to amass wealth or siphon public funds.

 

El-Rufai made this declaration on Tuesday during a Hausa program aired on Freedom Radio, Kaduna.

 

Speaking candidly, the former governor dismissed allegations of financial misconduct during his administration, maintaining that he was already financially content before assuming office.

 

The Kaduna State House of Assembly had earlier indicted El-Rufai’s administration for the misappropriation of over N423 billion during his eight-year tenure.

 

 

However, El-Rufai and his associates have categorically denied the accusations, labeling them as politically motivated.

 

“I did not join politics to steal money or enrich myself. I was satisfied with what I had before becoming governor,” El-Rufai stated, adding that he is ready to swear on the Quran to prove his innocence if other former governors and current leaders do the same.

 

 

“I have always prayed for guidance in all I do, and I strive not to betray the trust of the people. Whenever the former governors of Kaduna State and other leaders are ready to swear with the Quran that they never misappropriated public funds, I will join them. I have no fear because I know I never took money that belonged to the people,” he said.

 

 

The former governor expressed dismay over the allegations, saying his administration has been accused without any clear evidence of where the money went missing or who took it.

 

He further claimed that his allies were being targeted and invited by the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission as part of a smear campaign against him.

 

“I have left everything to God’s judgment. I have prayed and will remain silent on the issue. I have instructed my lawyers to take legal action against those tarnishing my name, but for now, I’m focused on my activities like reading and writing,” he said.

 

 

El-Rufai emphasised that service to the people continues even after leaving office, stating, “You don’t need to hold a position in government to serve. We are still working with like-minded individuals who genuinely want to serve the people, not those seeking to enrich themselves.”

 

Looking ahead, El-Rufai revealed that he intends to return to politics in 2027 after completing his studies, remarking, “There is no retirement in politics. God willing, we will return and continue serving the people.”

 

 

 

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Alleged N27bn fraud: Ex-Taraba Gov., Ishaku, Spends 5th Night in EFCC Cell

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2 days ago

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October 1, 2024

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A FCT  High Court in Maitama, Abuja, on Monday remanded former Taraba State Governor, Darius Ishaku and former Permanent Secretary of the Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Bello Yero, in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

 

The duo was arrested on September 27 for allegedly diverting N27bn belonging to the Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

 

In the suit, marked CR/792/24, filed before the Federal Capital Territory High Court, the EFCC accused the defendants of diverting N1,010,000,000 to their personal use between August 25, 2015, and March 21, 2016, in Abuja.

 

The anti-graft agency stated that this amount formed part of the 2.5 percent contingency funds belonging to the Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

 

 

The EFCC further alleged that the duo committed an offense contrary to Section 315 of the Penal Code A, Cap 532, Laws of the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria 2007, which is punishable under the same section.

Other sums allegedly diverted by the defendants as part of the contingency fund include N650,686,369.99 between January 6, 2019, and April 29, 2021; N193,030,000 between January 2019 and April 29, 2021; and N170,549,842.00 between January 6, 2019, and April 29, 2021, among others.

 

Upon their arraignment, the defendants, according to a statement by the EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, pleaded not guilty. Oyewale stated that the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), asked the court for a trial date and an accelerated hearing of the matter.

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