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No, EFCC did not raid Bello El-Rufai’s residence

Nurudeen Akewushola
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No, EFCC did not raid Bello El-Rufai’s residence

A claim that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) discovered $800 million, ₦700 billion in cash, and ₦1 trillion worth of drugs at the residence of Bello El-Rufai has gone viral on social media and blogs.

Bello is a son to an ex-Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir Ahmed El-Rufai.

The claim also alleges that the raid led to a violent confrontation, resulting in the deaths of two EFCC officers.

READ: How El-Rufai’s arrest during 2013 Anambra election spurs misinformation online in 2023

For instance, an X user, @SabinaNkiru posted the claim with a caption that read:

“Breaking News: EFCC Discovers $800 Million, ₦700 Billion Cash, and ₦1 Trillion Worth of Drugs at Nasir El-Rufai Son’s House in Kaduna.

The discovery was made after the EFCC conducted a surprise raid on the residence of the son of a former governor, Nasir El-Rufai, without prior notification. During the operation, a violent confrontation erupted between EFCC police personnel and the private security team guarding the property. 

The shootout tragically resulted in the deaths of at least two EFCC officers. This incident underscores the high-stakes nature of the investigation and the resistance faced by the authorities in their efforts to uncover and seize the alleged illicit assets.

Olusegun Miracle Abiola”

The claim has garnered over 300 reposts and hundreds of likes as of December 5, 2024.

 

CLAIM

EFCC discovered $800 million, ₦700 billion cash, and ₦1 trillion worth of drugs at the home of El-Rufai’s son in Kaduna.

 

THE FINDINGS

Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is FALSE.

First, the claim lacks critical details such as the location, date, and identities of those involved. An extensive search carried out on multiple social media platforms, including Facebook and X (formerly Twitter), using relevant keywords, found no credible reports regarding the alleged incident.

Screenshot of the viral post retrieved from X. INSERT: False verdict.

There is no mainstream media outlet that reported the alleged discovery, and a review of the EFCC’s official website and social media accounts found no announcements corroborating the claim.

The FactCheckHub contacted the spokesperson of the EFCC, Dele Oyewale and he confirmed that the news is FALSE.

Meanwhile, Bello El-Rufai has debunked the claim himself via his social media handle. According to him, the allegations are calculated efforts to undermine his credibility and distract him from public service.

DON’T MISS THIS: Skit video showing EFCC officials being harassed by military personnel goes viral

His post read:

“My attention has been drawn to a malicious and entirely fabricated report making rounds on social media, falsely alleging a raid on my residence in Kaduna by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). This baseless claim, accompanied by a recycled image from a separate and unrelated incidents in 2017 and 2022, is nothing but a deliberate attempt to mislead the public, tarnish my reputation, and sow confusion. On a lighter note, the people I represent know what will happen if I was blessed with such figures. For those sponsoring these ignorant attacks, I assure you that we will continue to serve the people and we will continue to enjoy how it annoys you. Quality, frank and honest representation is here to stay in Kaduna North.

For clarity purposes, let me state unequivocally:

1. No raid whatsoever has occurred at my residence in Kaduna or anywhere else. I was in the Chamber today with my colleagues. Additionally, I do not have a residence in Kaduna. Our family home is in Unguwar Sarki and that is where I stay when I visit Kaduna. That has been my home since I was born.

2. The image being circulated as evidence of this supposed event were originally published in April 2017 on Vanguard (vanguardngr.com/2017/04/money-…),  and on November 2022 in an unrelated EFCC operation involving a Bureau De Change operator in Abuja (newsoneng.com/breaking-efcc-…).

3. These allegations are not only false but also a calculated effort to undermine my credibility and distract from my public service. I strongly condemn the use of fake news to manipulate public perception and instigate discord. The attempt to connect me to illicit activities through unfounded allegations is not only defamatory but an affront to the principles of justice and fairness. As a result, my legal team will be taking legal action against Glintnews and Newoneng.com. The money they pay for their lies will go to good use in Kaduna North.”

THE VERDICT

The claim that the EFCC discovered $800 million, ₦700 billion cash, and ₦1 trillion worth of drugs at the residence of El-Rufai’s son is FALSE; EFCC’s spokesperson debunked the claim in a message to The FactCheckHub.

Top misinformation that dominated the media in 2024

Fatimah Quadri
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Top misinformation that dominated the media in 2024

IN recent months, Nigeria’s social media space has experienced a significant increase in disinformation and misinformation trends, sometimes leading to widespread public confusion and unrest.

Instances range from the circulation of outdated protest videos to the dissemination of misleading claims about government policies and activities.

This development underscores the urgent need for effective fact-checking to counter the proliferation of false information in public space. Below is a compilation of some notable cases recorded by The FactCheckHub this year:

1. Samoa Agreement

On June 28, 2024, the Nigerian government signed the $150 billion Samoa trade agreement with the European Union, which sparked widespread controversy after its disclosure by its Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu.

Public backlash erupted over claims that the agreement endorses LGBTQ rights on July 4 2024, contrary to Nigerian laws. However, an explainer on the agreement by The FactCheckHub revealed that the cited articles 2.5 and 29.5 contain no reference to LGBTQ provisions, highlighting the misleading nature of the allegations.

2. End bad governance protests

During the End Bad Governance protests held from August 1 to 10, the social media space was flooded with a wave of misinformation and fake news, which significantly distorted information about Nigerians protest against hardship in the West African nation.

Among these were the rehashing of old videos from the 2020 EndSARS protests, falsely presented as recent events, and the circulation of protest scenes from other countries misrepresented as occurrences in Nigeria.

READ: Some deep fakes, AI-generated contents to watch out for in 2024

For instance, a seven-year-old protest video from Venezuela was widely shared online, misleadingly linked to the ongoing protests in Nigeria to amplify the narrative. Notable public figures further fueled the misinformation by sharing unrelated or outdated images and videos, claiming they depicted the current protests.

These instances underscore the critical role of fact-checking in combating the spread of false information during moments of social unrest as reported by The FactCheckHub.

3. Foreign currency press statement

In February, an old press release from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) resurfaced, reportedly stating that the bank had planned to prosecute individuals involved in foreign currency transactions.

The release, shared by Daniel Bwala and other social media users, also gained traction through media reports, creating the impression that it was a recent directive.

However, a review of the CBN website revealed that the press release was originally issued on July 4, 2015.

4. ₦70,000 minimum wage

In 2023, the Nigerian government proposed a new minimum wage as part of its agreement with the National Labour Congress (NLC) to end a national strike called by the workers union. But earlier in 2024, a phishing scam falsely claimed that the Lagos State government had begun paying the new minimum wage of ₦70,000.

In April, a viral video of Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, at the Eko Cares launch further fueled the misinformation, with claims that he announced the new minimum wage. However, the state’s Commissioner for Information, Gbenga Omotoso, clarified that the governor made no such declaration.

When the minimum wage implementation began in July 2024, Nigeria’s Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, falsely stated that all employers in Nigeria are required to pay the new minimum wage.

The FactCheckHub debunked this claim, citing Sections 3 and 4 of the National Minimum Wage Act 2019. While Section 3 mandates employers to pay at least the national minimum wage, Section 4 exempts businesses with fewer than 25 employees, as well as freelancers, part-time employees, and certain other categories.

5. Nigerian agencies scrapped

On April 19, 2024, footage of a Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting was shared on X, by Dino Melaye and Instablog9ja with claims that the Nigerian government had scrapped agencies like FRCN, ICPC, and NCDC.

However media reports from February 27, 2024, confirmed that the FEC had approved implementing recommendations from the Steve Oronsaye panel to restructure and rationalize federal agencies through mergers, subsumptions, and the scrapping of some entities.

Findings reveal that the claim of mass agency scrapping was FALSE, according to the Oronsaye report, as only PTAD and NSSEC are slated for scrapping, while other agencies are to be merged or subsumed, as outlined by the federal government in its February announcement.

6. Old presidential broadcast rehashed by presidency

Following the widespread criticism of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu‘s nationwide broadcast on August 4, the official X accounts of the president and the Nigerian Presidency shared an old video portraying him urging citizens to remain calm and patient.

This video was also reported by some media outlets, creating the impression that it was a recent statement linked to the August 4 broadcast.

However, a Google reverse image search of keyframes from the video revealed that the longer version was initially shared by the Nigerian Presidency on July 31, 2023.

The text of the address was also published on the Presidency’s official website the same day.

7. Old video of Yoruba Nation protest reshared

In February, X users recirculated an old video of a Yoruba Nation protest, falsely attributing it to recent demonstrations over the economic hardship in Nigeria. Arise News also aired the footage during its “What’s Trending” segment on The Morning Show, stating that Yoruba Nation activists protested in Ondo State, calling for secession amidst rising economic challenges.

However, a review of the videos and reports revealed that they were originally published in 2021.

8. Oyo state split into two

When the bill proposing the division of Oyo state into two was still being discussed at the House of Representatives, a popular Nigerian social media blogger, Tunde Ednut posted a clip of the plenary session with a clickbait headline that the state had already been split into two which was widely shared on Instagram, and WhatsApp and thus sparked debate among netizens.

However, media reports indicated that the bill to split Oyo state into two has not been assented to, as it had only passed its second reading, and has been forwarded to the committee on constitutional review.

9. Warehouse naira hoarding

In February, a video circulated on social media particularly on X which claimed to show bundles of newly printed naira notes hoarded in a warehouse in northern Nigeria. The footage depicted men in a warehouse filled with stacked boxes, sparking allegations of corruption and hoarding.

However, the video was a February 13, 2024, operation by the Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCAC) in Kano State and unrelated to currency hoarding.

ALSO READ: How misinformation about Samoa Agreement caused uproar in Nigeria

Credible outlets like Arise News and TVC News reported that the operation targeted warehouses accused of hoarding food items, not currency. According to the reports, items discovered included millet, sugar, sorghum, flour, maize, and spaghetti. A closer review of the footage identified Golden Penny’s Mai Kwabo Spaghetti, a product of Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc, among the hoarded goods.

10. Maiduguri Flood 

On September 9, 2024, the  Alau Dam in Maiduguri collapsed  which led to severe flooding in Maiduguri, Borno State, causing considerable humanitarian challenges.

Reports show that at least 37 people died, and more than 1 million residents were displaced throughout the region, as a result.

An X user had posted a video claiming that it shows dead bodies that were recovered from the flood. However, checks by The FactCheckHub indicated that the video showed trucks and tricycles conveying dead bodies after terrorists struck a community in Yobe state on September 1, 2024.

The Punch reported that the gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram insurgents killed residents and set ablaze shops and houses in Mafa village in Tarmuwa Local Government Area of Yobe State.

A Facebook user also shared an image of bundles of a legal tender while claiming that it was part of the items found and recovered from the Maiduguri flooding.

Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim was MISLEADING as the incident happened in northern Sudan and was unrelated to flooding in Borno State.

Claim that Kogi is the poorest Nigerian state is FALSE!

Fatimah Quadri
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Claim that Kogi is the poorest Nigerian state is FALSE!

A claim that Kogi is the poorest state in Nigeria has surfaced on X.

The claim was posted by a user on the app @BolanleCole.

The post read:

“The poorest State in Nigeria today aside Kogi State is Kogi State. In the league of thriving States in Nigeria, Kogi State should not be included.”

Recently, there have been a public attention on Kogi state as a former governor of the state, Yahaya Bello, is currently being charged with corruption by the EFCC, one of Nigeria’s anti-graft agencies.

READ: Viral video showing Yahaya Bello inside car is NOT recent

Due to the nature of the claim relating to the state’s economy, The FactCheckHub decided to verify its accuracy.

 

CLAIM

Kogi state is the poorest state in Nigeria.

 

THE FINDINGS

Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is FALSE!

Screenshot of the post, extracted from X, INSERT; False verdict
Screenshot of the post, extracted from X, INSERT; False verdict

The survey of the 2022 Multi-dimensional Poverty Index in Nigeria carried out by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) shows that the multidimensional poverty across Nigerian states ranges from a low of 27% in Ondo to a high of 91% in Sokoto.

A look at the data from the report show that Kogi state ranks 17th on the list.

ALSO READ: Fact-checking Ajayi’s claims at the Ondo 2024 gubernatorial debate

A report by Nairametrics, which also referenced data from the NBS, revealed that Sokoto, Bayelsa, and Jigawa States rank highest on Nigeria’s multidimensional poverty index, with a combined total of 14.18 million people living in poverty.

 

THE VERDICT

The claim that Kogi state is the poorest state in Nigeria is FALSE; data show that Sokoto, Bayelsa, Jigawa, Kebbi, Gombe and Yobe are the poorest states in Nigeria.

Video of razed properties allegedly by soldiers in Imo State is NOT recent

Muritala Abdullahi
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Video of razed properties allegedly by soldiers in Imo State is NOT recent

A video showing burnt structures near an expressway has circulated online with a claim that men of the Nigerian military had allegedly burnt down the properties at Okigwe community in Imo state.

An X user @amauche99263330 posted the video on November 28, 2024 and it shows the properties razed down. The video comes with a narrator’s voice in the background saying that millions of naira worth of goods were destroyed allegedly by soldiers along Okigwe expressway.

“Nigeria military on Okigwe expresses, you can see shops that [was] were burn this morning. All these places were burnt to ashes. People’s goods worth millions [was] were destroyed. You can see,” the narrator said.

READ: How genuine are pictures of burnt houses in Igangan, Oyo State?

The caption on the video post read thus:

Nigeria Terrorist in Biafra land destroying property, houses etc
The post has garnered over 21,000 views, with more than 400 likes, and over 500 reposts as of November 29, 2024.

 

CLAIM

Video shows properties razed down by Nigerian military around Okigwe expressway recently.

 

THE FINDINGS

Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is MISLEADING, as the video has been online since December 31, 2022.

Our researcher conducted a Google reverse image search on some key frames from the video. The results show that multiple social media users had posted the video in December 2022.

For instance, a Facebook user, Comrade Alfa Alfred, posted the video online on December 31, 2022 with a caption thus: “In Imo State, Nigeria Military burnt down people’s houses and shops!”     

Further checks led our researcher to a media report on the incident published by The Cable on January 4, 2023.

The report indicated that Aku-Okigwe, a community in Imo State, had accused the personnel of the Nigerian army of “indiscriminate rampage and killing of innocent residents” during a military raid in the area.

DON’T MISS THIS: Viral WhatsApp message on planned demolition of 37 estates in Abuja is MISLEADING

The raid reportedly followed reports of the abduction and assault of P.P. Johnson, a lieutenant in the army who was abducted on Monday, December 26, 2022, while on a trip to a part of Southeastern, Nigeria.

Aside the community’s reaction, there’s no other credible evidence to suggest the Nigerian military carried out the arson seen in the video though it’s NOT RECENT, as we could not independently verify that part of the claim.

      

THE VERDICT

The claim that the video shows properties razed down by Nigerian military around Okigwe expressway recently is MISLEADING; the video has been online since December 2022 and it is not a recent event.

Image does not show ‘clean district’ in Kano State

Nurudeen Akewushola
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Image does not show ‘clean district’ in Kano State

BASHIR Ahmad, a former media aide to Nigeria’s ex-president Muhammadu Buhari, has posted an image showing a clean street on his official X account and attributed it to Kano State.  

The X post, captioned “This part of Kano is so clean!” has garnered over 380,000 views plus over 600 reposts, more than 4,000 likes and over 900 comments as of November 29, 2024.  

READ: Old video of Kano incident used to depict ‘hunger’ protest in Abuja

CLAIM

Image shows a clean district in Kano State.

 

THE FINDINGS

Findings by The FactCheckHub revealed that the claim is MISLEADING, as the image is not from Kano State but from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Bashir Ahmad's post

A reverse image search using Google Lens traced the image to Al-Shatea district in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The same image had previously been shared on X by Naif Saudi, who confirmed its origin.

The account posted the image with a caption in Arabic thus:

الشوارع الداخلية في حي الشاطيء بجدة 

‏ارصفة مشاه تعزز من جودة الحياة وترفع من مستوى المدينة  

Using Google Translate, it is translated in English as follows: 

“Internal streets in Al-Shatea district in Jeddah. Sidewalks enhance the quality of life and raise the level of the city.”

This is not the first time Ahmad will be sharing false or misleading information on social media. He had once tweeted falsely about the Nigerian government’s intervention in securing Peter Obi’s release from detention in the United Kingdom (UK).

Recall that Obi, the Labour Party presidential candidate in Nigeria’s 2023 election, was detained in London in April 2023 by UK immigration officials for alleged impersonation.

The former presidential media aide had once called for stricter regulation of social media platforms in Nigeria, especially TikTok, “to prevent dangerous individuals from using it for their malicious agendas.”

 

THE VERDICT  

The claim that the image shows a clean district in Kano State is MISLEADING; it depicts Al-Shatea district in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Old video of Nigerian soldiers brutalizing civilian resurfaces online

Nurudeen Akewushola
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0
Old video of Nigerian soldiers brutalizing civilian resurfaces online

A video showing some Nigerian soldiers torturing a man alleged to be a victim of brutality has surfaced online.

The video, shared by an X user, @zoomafrika1, shows soldiers tying up a man, placing him under fire, and assaulting him with guns, stones, and other objects.

READ: Video does not show recent army mobilization against Turji-led bandits in Sokoto

The X user posted the claim with a caption thus:

“The most horrific Video from Nigerian Army 😢😭💔  Stop Army Brutality!!”

The post has garnered over 500,000 views, plus 1,300 likes, and more than 600 reposts as of November 27, 2024.

 

CLAIM

Video shows man brutalised recently by some Nigerian soldiers.

 

THE FINDINGS

Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is MISLEADING, as the video has been online since 2019.

screenshot of the viral post

A Google reverse image search revealed that it was first shared by multiple X users, including @aisha_yaGuda, on September 17, 2019, with the caption thus: “I don’t know what he did to deserve this roasting!💔”

ALSO READ:No! Video does not show Delta community razed by Nigerian Army

Further searches using keywords such as “army brutality” led to media reports which confirmed that the video depicted some Nigerian soldiers involved in the torture and extra-judicial killings of a suspected Boko Haram terrorist.

In November 2019, the Nigerian Army released a statement condemning the actions captured in the footage. The then-acting Director of Army Public Relations, Sagir Musa, promised investigations and sanctions against the implicated personnel.

 

THE VERDICT

The claim that the video shows recent brutality by the Nigerian Army is MISLEADING; the footage first surfaced online in 2019 and does not depict a recent event.

Claim that Ronaldo embraces Islam is FALSE!

Fatimah Quadri
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Claim that Ronaldo embraces Islam is FALSE!

A video circulating online which claims that Portuguese football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has accepted Islam by reciting the Shahada in the presence of King Salman of Saudi Arabia.

The video was posted on YouTube by a user with the name: mizrab 7.

The nearly 6 minutes long video began with a Ronaldo look-alike man in a mosque who appears to be reading from the Holy Qur’an in the first 15 seconds. The rest of the video was a collage of images alongside a man’s voice heard in the background.

READ: Claim that DSTV added new channel due to Ronaldo’s transfer is FALSE

Part of the audio transcribed below reads:

No one would have expected that one of the greatest football players in history, Cristiano Ronaldo, would one day stand on the pulpit of a mosque, surrounded by an audience of worshippers, while reciting the Holy Quran in a calm and moving voice. It was a magical moment that transcended the boundaries of sports, becoming the talk of the entire world. How did Cristiano get to this place? What prompted him to embrace Islam? It was a story of spiritual transformation that exceeded all expectations, and opened the door to a journey full of challenges and the search for inner peace.

The video also had a caption thus:

Cristiano Ronaldo converted to Islam and the reason is shocking.

As of November 26, 2024, the video has garnered over 200,000 views plus more than 3,000 likes.

Ronaldo, who currently plays for Saudi Pro League club, Al Nassr, where he serves as the captain, has a legendary football career, after earning multiple international awards.

 

CLAIM

Cristiano Ronaldo embraces Islam, recites Quran.

 

THE FINDINGS

Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is FALSE!

Screenshot of the claim extracted from YouTube; Insert FALSE verdict
Screenshot of the claim extracted from YouTube; Insert: FALSE verdict.

A Google reverse image search revealed that a previous version of the video had been posted by an X user @shiinetown on September 21, 2024.

The caption of the post read:

There is a common belief that there are seven individuals who resemble you regardless of faith and nationality. One such individual is Bewar Abdullah, who bears a striking resemblance to the Portuguese football icon Cristiano Ronaldo. #Portugal

A keyword search conducted on the name “Bewar Abdullah” shows that he was spotlighted by the New York Post in 2022 where he mentioned that he had been receiving lots of attention due to his semblance to Ronaldo.

In statements to the New York Post, Bewar mentioned that people frequently approach him for photos and videos, often shouting “Ronaldo!” His likeness has drawn invitations to events, including children’s birthday parties, leading to considerable earnings.

Further checks revealed that the video circulating on YouTube is a collage which combined a Quranic recitation with various images. Notably, the images interwoven with the video appear to be animated and likely AI-generated, raising doubts about the video’s authenticity.

Also, for a non-Muslim to convert to Islam, the fundamental requirement is reciting the Shahada, a declaration of faith in Arabic, in the presence of witnesses. However, in the viral video, there is no clear evidence that it’s Ronaldo’s voice or gestures indicating that he performed the Shahada as prescribed.

 

THE VERDICT

The claim the Cristiano Ronaldo has embraced Islam and recited Quran in public is FALSE; the person in the video is Bewar Abdullah, a lookalike of Ronaldo.

Doctored video shows Finnish president declaring support for IPOB, Simon Ekpa

Nurudeen Akewushola
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0
Doctored video shows Finnish president declaring support for IPOB, Simon Ekpa

A video showing the President of Finland, Alex Stubb, declaring his support for the controversial pro-Biafra agitator, Simon Ekpa and his Biafra cause has surfaced online.

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), which Ekpa reportedly belonged to, is a group of Nigerians majorly from the Southeastern region of Nigeria, who are canvassing for an independent state of Biafra from Nigeria. That is, they wants “Biafra” carved out from the Southeastern and parts of South-South Nigeria.

The video began circulating following the report of Ekpa’s arrest alongside four others on suspicion of terrorist activities on Thursday, November 21, 2024.

READ: Simon Ekpa shares video of female police officer allegedly assaulted in 2022 as recent

An X user, @UgoJustrealugo, posted the video with a caption thus: “A PLADGE FROM FINNIS PRESIDENT”

The video has garnered over 180,000 views plus over 800 reposts and more than 1,400 likes as of November 26, 2024.

Another X user, @HMReportsBRGIE posted the same video with another caption that read:

“Case closed Ahead! ahead!! The pledge from Finish President sound so clear to all Ifeajuna of our time @EmekaGift100, @ElochukwuOhagi the real Blackmailers against our PM @simon_ekpa & Biafra freedom..”

CLAIM

Video shows the Finnish president, Alexander Stubb, declaring his support for Simon Ekpa and IPOB.

 

THE FINDINGS 

Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is MISLEADING.

Simon Ekpa was born on March 21, 1985, and hails from Ngbo, a community in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Southeastern Nigeria.

Simon Ekpa
Screenshot of

The Biafra agitator, who is based in Finland, has been linked to growing insecurity in Nigeria’s South-east.

ALSO READ: Claim by Simon Ekpa that Nigerian govt sponsored attack against Christians in Zamfara is MISLEADING!

He has continued to issue sit-at-home orders in the region during which residents who step out are sometimes killed, harassed or attacked by gunmen enforcing the illegal order.

Also, he has been using his social media pages, mainly on the X platform, to push a secessionist agenda, issue illegal orders, launch disinformation campaigns, and solicit funds for suspected terrorist activities.

However, Ekpa was arrested for contributing to “violence and crimes against civilians in South-eastern Nigeria and subsequently charged to court.

Checks using a Google reverse image search revealed that the original video shows Stubb declaring his support for the people of Ukraine over its ongoing war with Russia.

Meanwhile, Ekpa’s image was placed by the side of the viral video to suggest that the video shows the Finnish president speaking about his support for the Biafra group.

Further findings show that the original video was posted by Stubb on November 19, 2024 with a caption that read:

“Ukraine has been fighting for its independence for 1,000 days. Finland’s support for Ukraine remains unwavering. We will continue to stand by Ukraine. Slava Ukraini.”

The transcribed version of his actual statements in the video read:

“Finland’s Winter War lasted 105 days. Your war has lasted 10 times longer. We understand what you’re going through. We will support you for as long as it takes. We support you because it is morally right. We support you because you’re fighting for your independence, but we also support you because you’re fighting for Europe’s security.”

 

THE VERDICT

The claim that the video shows Finnish President Alexander Stubb declaring his support for Simon Ekpa and IPOB is MISLEADING; the original video shows Stubb declaring support for Ukraine over its ongoing war with Russia.

No, image does not show elderly Muslim man marrying a minor

Muritala Abdullahi
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0
No, image does not show elderly Muslim man marrying a minor

AN image showing an elderly Muslim man sitting on a chair, dressing the headscarf of a very young girl standing next to him has resurfaced online alongside a claim that the two are married and that Islam permits such marriage to a minor.

An X user, @realMaalouf, posted the image on November 20, 2024 with a caption that read:

“Sorry, but if your religion allows old men to marry young girls like this, maybe it’s time to have a conversation with yourself and realize your religion is not a religion of peace. 

It’s pure evil!”

The post has garnered over 4 million views with about 90,000 likes and more than 19,000 reposts as of November 24, 2024.

 

CLAIM

Image shows an elderly Muslim man marrying a minor.

THE FINDINGS

Checks by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is FALSE.

International conventions prohibit child marriage and define eighteen as the age of adulthood, says the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

These laws are based on the argument that children and adolescents are not mature enough to make choices about marriage, and that marrying too young can lead to lasting emotional, physical, and psychological harm.

The Muslim community has often faced accusations of encouraging child marriage, a practice critics argue violates children’s rights and exposes young girls to health risks, including early pregnancy and limited educational opportunities among others.

The allegation stemmed from the claim that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) married to one of his wives, Aisha when she was 6. Some Islamic scholars have argued that the religion does not encourage child marriage.

To verify the claim, our fact-checker conducted a Google reverse image search to identify the source of the image. The results show that the image has been online since 2016.

Unfortunately, our fact-checker also came across the same image in an X post from December 28, 2023 shared online by an X user, @priyanshuk___. It also has similar claim with the primary claimant here, as it was captioned: “Husband and wife, Islam approved. Thoughts?”

However, findings by The FactCheckHub revealed that the image was taken from Lalegul kindergarten, an elementary school located in Elazığ, a city in eastern Türkiye, formerly known as Turkey, a country that straddles the divide between Europe and Asia.

The image was taken at an event organised to celebrate the young pupils of the school who have learnt how to recite Quran even before they started formal education (reading and writing), a media report published on May 20, 2016 by SOL, a Turkey-based media outlet stated.

The headmaster of Lalegul kindergarten with two of his pupils. PHOTO CREDITS: SOL
The headmaster of Lalegul kindergarten with two of his pupils. PHOTO CREDITS: SOL

Part of the event’s programme was to dress the young children in attires and headscarves. Further checks show that the man in the photo is the headmaster of the Lalegul kindergarten. Also, there are multiple X posts from 2016 that confirmed the event here and here.

The school, owned by Ayhan ÅžimÅŸek, is an Islamic school that identifies with Islamic culture. The scene depicts a mere transition to the Quranic ceremony and does not show any marriage ceremony.

Also, Africa Check had earlier debunked the image in January 2024.

 

THE VERDICT

The claim that the image shows an elderly Muslim man marrying a minor is FALSE; the photo shows a headmaster with a pupil at a school ceremony at Lalegul kindergarten, Elazig, in Türkiye.

 

EDITOR’S NOTE/CORRECTION:

* The featured image was changed to reflect our FALSE label. To know more about how we rate claims, click here.

Claim that Wike has been banned from entering the Villa is FALSE!

Fatimah Quadri
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0
Claim that Wike has been banned from entering the Villa is FALSE!

A claim that the FCT minister, Nyesom Wike, has been banned from entering Nigeria’s Presidential Villa following an event involving the Indian prime minister, Narendra Modi, has circulated online.

The claim posted by an X user, @PO_GrassRootM, on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, read:

BREAKING: Wike Reportedly Banned From Aso Rock Over Incident With Indian Prime Minister.

READ: Did Antony Blinken name Peter Obi, Wike, Keyamo, others in US visa ban announcement?

The post has garnered a traction of over 400,000 views, plus over 4,000 likes and 825 reposts as of November 21, 2024.

CLAIM

Wike has been banned from entering Nigeria’s Presidential Villa.

 

THE FINDINGS

Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is FALSE!

Screenshot of the claim retrieved from X; INSERT False verdict
Screenshot of the claim retrieved from X. INSERT: False verdict.

Hours after the incident, there was no statement from the Nigerian presidency announcing the ban on the FCT Minister from entering the Aso Villa.

Similarly, Peoples Gazette reports that the presidency had kept mum on the issue despite being known for promptly rebutting critics of the Bola Tinubu administration, even while the minister trended on X with accusations of being intoxicated while on official duty.

ALSO READ: Dino Melaye shares misleading video of Nigerian Army accusing Wike of attempting to compromise election

Further findings show that no media house reported the issue, as such an event would be widely reported by multiple media outfits.

But when our fact-checker reached out to Bayo Onanuga, a spokesperson in the Nigerian presidency, he responded via SMS with a terse sentence: “it’s a lie”.

 

Screenshot of the SMS Onanuga sent in response to our fact-checker’s enquiry.

THE VERDICT

The claim that Wike has been banned from entering Nigeria’s Presidential Villa is FALSE; Bayo Onanuga, presidential spokesperson debunked it and there’s no credible media report announcing the ban.

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