After Outrage, FG Rescinds Directive Urging Nigerians To Re-register Their Bank Accounts

• The message is misleading – FG

The Federal government has disavowed a statement it made directing all accounts holders in financial institutions in the country to undergo a process of ‘self- certification’

The federal government had, on Thursday, via its Twitter handle, in a now deleted tweet, announced the directive.

It mandated account-holders  to obtain, complete and submit the self-certification forms to their respective financial institutions.

The federal government said individuals who hold accounts in different financial institutions would have to collect and submit separate forms to each one of the institutions.

Three categories of forms for entities, individuals and controlling person (individuals having a controlling interest in a legal person, trustee, etc) are said to be available

The tweet sparked widespread outrage and criticism with some describing the government as incompetent and others wondering the rationality behind the directive because most bank account holders have undergone biometric and personal identification processes at one point or the other.

But in statement on its official twitter page on Friday, the government described its earlier statement as misleading.

It explained that the message in its initial tweet wasn’t for everyone, noting that the federal inland revenue service will clarify things.

“We apologize for the misleading tweets (now deleted) that went up yesterday, regarding the completion of self-certification forms by Reportable Persons. The message contained in the @firsNigeria Notice does not apply to everybody. FIRS will issue appropriate clarification shortly”