Naira redesign: PDP leader orders EFCC to shine spotlight on dishonest public officials and politicians

Dr Mustapha Aboki, the leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State, urged the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) on Thursday to focus its searchlights on corrupt politicians, civil servants, and high-ranking criminals who have stored Nigerian currency in their bedrooms in response to the Central Bank of Nigeria’s decision to redesign naira notes.

A few weeks ago, the Central Bank of Nigeria announced that the notes of the three largest currency denominations—the N200, N500, and N1,000—would be redesigned.

Dr Aboki responded on Thursday in Kachia, Kaduna, noting that the CBN’s decision to redesign the Nigerian currency was opportune since many criminals had stored up the currency in their numerous mansions around the nation in preparation for the general elections in 2023.

He urged the Federal Government and Central Bank Governor Godwin Emefiele to expedite the redesign so that thieves could not overnight change stolen Nigerian naira into foreign currencies.

I want the Central Bank Governor to move quickly on the redesign of the naira so that those who hoarded our currency would ultimately lose out. Since these criminals are figuring out methods to convert our currency to foreign currency, I also urged the EFCC and other anti-money laundering agencies to shine their searchlights on foreign exchange hotspots and other vulnerable places.

Dr Aboki also urged Nigerians to help security personnel by alerting them to anyone keeping extra cash in vaults or other secret locations so that they may be detained and questioned right away.