Shortly after information came in that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)had directed the acceptance of the old N500 and N1,000 Naira notes, the apex bank disowned the information.
However, flyers from some of the banks to the their customers confirmed that they are still accepting the old N500 and N1,000 notes
The CBN in a statement by its Director of Corporate Communications, Osita Nwanisobi, made available to TIME TESTED NEWS on Friday, denied issuing the directive for Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) to accept the old N500 and N1,000 notes.
It said it was working with the directive of President Muhammadu Buhari for the reintroduction of the old N200 note alongside the new N200, N500 and N1,000 notes.
It said in the statement: “The attention of the Central Bank of Nigeria has been drawn to some fake and unauthorized messages quoting the CBN as having authorized the Deposit Money Banks to collect the old N500 and N1,000 Banknotes.
“For the avoidance .of doubt, and in line with Mr. President’s broadcast of February 16, 2023, theCBN has been directed to ONLY reissue and recirculate the old N200 banknotes and this is expected to circulate as legal tender for 60 days up to April 10, 2023.
“Members of the public should therefore disregard any message and/or information not formally released by the Central Bank of Nigeria on this subject.
“Media practitioners are advised to PLEASE verify any information from the correct sources before publication.”
However, several customers said some banks, including United Bank for Africa PLC and First Bank of Nigeria Limited, sent flyers to them that they are still collecting the old N500 and N1,000.
They gave steps to take in submitting the notes, adding that they would be taking not more than N500,000 per customer.
They said they would only accept the old Naira notes after the customers must have filled out the form on the website of the CBN and obtained the necessary code for the transaction.
