Protesters gathered at the headquarters of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) demanding the resignation and arrest of CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele over a failed new naira notes policy. The group, under the George Uboh Whistle-blower Network, accused Emefiele of causing undue hardship to Nigerians and being responsible for the deaths of many people.

The protesters vowed to occupy the apex bank until their demands were met, and carried placards with messages such as “Emefiele Must Go”, “CBN Now Bureau De Change”, and “What Happened To Anchor Borrowers Programme?”.

ALSO READ: Central Bank of Nigeria boosts supply of new notes to banks

Convener of the protest, George Uboh, said Emefiele committed genocide by subjecting Nigerians to pain and hardship for mopping up old naira notes and forcing people to queue endlessly at various banks to get cash.

The Supreme Court had ruled that the new naira notes policy caused undue hardship to the Nigerian masses, and Uboh said their protest was hinged on this judgment.

ALSO READ: Suspended Adamawa REC arrested by Police and in custody

He described the policy as “insensitive” and said it had crippled small businesses in the country. Security agents including police, Nigeria Army, and Department of State Services (DSS) operatives surrounded the building to prevent any possible breakdown of law and order.