FBN Holdings, a leading financial institution in Nigeria, has come out to dismiss a fake report circulating online that it released N400 billion new notes to Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The unverifiable online platform that propagated the fake news had falsely accused the managing director of First Bank Nigeria, a subsidiary of FBN Holdings, of being the culprit in the alleged transaction. The platform then went ahead to use the name and photograph of Nnamdi Okonkwo, the Group Managing Director of FBN Holdings, to support its claim, even though he had no involvement in the matter.
In a statement titled “Malicious Publication – A Rebuttal,” FBN Holdings stated that the fake news was an attempt to damage the country’s banking system by dragging it into the murky waters of politics. The company called on security agencies to fish out the perpetrators of the malicious story.
The statement also clarified that neither the Managing Director of the Bank nor the Group Managing Director of the Holding company, Nnamdi Okonkwo, had any involvement with the matters alleged in the fictitious news story. The bank emphasized that there is no order of arrest against any one of them, Investors King reports.
This fake news comes at a time when Nigerians are reeling under the weight of Naira scarcity following a currency redesign project of the apex bank. It is unfortunate that some unscrupulous individuals are using this challenging time to spread fake news that can further damage the country’s economy.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had also denied the fake report a few hours after it was published. It is essential for Nigerians to be vigilant and avoid falling for such fake news as it can cause unwarranted panic and confusion.
FBN Holdings’ response to the fake report is a clear indication that it takes its reputation seriously and will not hesitate to take legal action against anyone that attempts to tarnish it. It is important for individuals and organizations to be wary of the information they consume and share to avoid falling prey to fake news.
