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Osun 2026: Nigerian Fact-Checkers’ Coalition opens situation rooms to fight election misinformation

Zainab ABDULRASAQ
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Osun 2026: Nigerian Fact-Checkers’ Coalition opens situation rooms to fight election misinformation

THE Nigerian Fact-Checkers’ Coalition (NFC) has opened its situation rooms ahead of the Osun State governorship election, scheduled for Saturday, 15 August 2026.

In a statement signed by the NFC National Coordinator, David Ajikobi, on Thursday, the coalition said its members and volunteers would work from Abuja and Lagos to monitor false and manipulated narratives that could incite violence, encourage voter apathy and undermine public trust during the election.

It added that partner organisations, including Africa Check and Digital Africa Research and Safety Lab (DigiAfricaLab), would be on the ground in Osun State to monitor the election firsthand and provide real-time assessments to the NFC Situation Rooms.

Formed in June 2022, the coalition comprises signatories of the International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN), Africa Check, CableCheck (The Cable), FactCheckHub, and DUBAWA, who are all working alongside other partners, including the International Centre for Investigative Reporting (The ICIR), the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), FactsMatterNG, Digital Africa Research and Safety Lab, Alkalanci, The Continental, Round Check, WikkiTimes and FactWatch.

The statement noted that the NFC verified several harmful narratives during the Ekiti State governorship election, using an effective model of collaboration and teamwork. It added that the coalition intends to build on this work during the Osun election, with Nigeria’s 2027 general election approaching in a few months.

The statement added that the coalition is also carrying out Media and Information Literacy (MIL) activities to help Nigerians better understand and navigate the information environment during the election. According to the statement, these efforts are designed to equip citizens with practical skills to identify misleading and manipulated content, assess the credibility of information sources, and make informed decisions about the information they consume and share, both online and offline.

Concerns over security misinformation

Kemi Busari, Editor of DUBAWA Nigeria, said the security situation in Osun ahead of the election makes monitoring election-related misinformation particularly important.

“The security situation in Osun leading up to this election has been concerning. We expect a lot of security-related misinformation and disinformation. We are already seeing some of them; some are even old or unrelated claims,” he said.

“Our hope is that people vote freely and based on their choices. At NFC, we will be working towards availing them with accurate information to make that decision. We have a team of trained fact-checkers and editors monitoring the information space both online and offline, and we will be working with local partners to disseminate our reports.”

AI and election integrity

Ajikobi said advances in artificial intelligence have made it easier to produce convincing false or misleading election content at a scale and speed that presents a new challenge for fact-checkers and voters.

“AI has made it faster, cheaper, and easier to create convincing false or misleading election content, from synthetic images and cloned voices to AI-generated text that mimics official statements,” Ajikobi said.

“Social media can spread this content nationwide within minutes, often faster than it can be verified or corrected. Content that once required specialist skills can now be produced by almost anyone with a smartphone and access to AI tools. This means Nigerians are likely to encounter more sophisticated election misinformation, making early detection, rapid verification, and credible correction more important than ever. This is why coordinated efforts like the NFC Situation Room are important in identifying false narratives before they gain wider traction,” he added.

Building public confidence

The NFC also aims to go beyond verifying false or manipulated information by helping Nigerians develop greater confidence in the information they rely on during the election.

“We also want them to develop simple habits such as pausing before sharing unverified information, checking claims against credible sources, and recognising manipulated or AI-generated content. Ultimately, the goal is to help Nigerians navigate the information environment more confidently and make informed decisions based on verified information,” Ajikobi said.

The coalition encouraged voters, journalists, civil society organisations, and other stakeholders to verify election-related information before sharing it, particularly content designed to provoke fear, anger, or confusion. It also urged members of the public to share any unverified information with the NFC Situation Rooms via WhatsApp on +2349030785265 AND +2349083777789, or by email at nigerianfactcheckerscoalition@gmail.com.

The coalition concluded by assuring the public that verified reports and fact-checks will be disseminated through its member organisations and partners throughout the election period.

No, Finnish court did not acquit Simon Ekpa

Nurudeen Akewushola
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No, Finnish court did not acquit Simon Ekpa

A POST circulating on X claims that Simon Ekpa, the self-acclaimed leader of the Biafra Republic Government in Exile (BRGIE), has been acquitted by a Finnish court.

The claim was made by an X user, Daniel Somtochukwu, @Somtolism7, who shared a screenshot with the caption:

“Simon ekpa was acquitted by the Finland court. Nigeria 💔 cry me rivers of tears”

The post had generated over 4,700 views, 250 likes and dozens of reposts as of August 12 2026.

CLAIM

Simon Ekpa was acquitted by a Finnish court.

Screenshot of the viral post

FINDINGS

Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is FALSE.

Simon Ekpa is the self-acclaimed prime minister of the Biafra Republic Government in Exile, an Autopilot faction of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). He was arrested in Finland in November 2024 over allegations of terrorism-related offences and incitement in Nigeria’s South-East.

Following court proceedings, a Finnish court sentenced Ekpa to six years in prison in September 2025 for terrorism-related offences and ordered the confiscation of his assets. Ekpa has repeatedly denied sponsoring terrorism.

He subsequently appealed the judgment. Reuters reported in October 2025 that the East Finland Court of Appeal had received his appeal and that the case would be heard no earlier than April or May 2026. Reuters also confirmed that Ekpa had not been released following the filing of the appeal.

A report published on 7 August 2026 stated that Ekpa’s appeal hearing took place on Thursday, 6 August. According to the report, Ekpa appeared at the proceedings and maintained that he had been wrongly convicted, expressing confidence that the judgment would eventually be overturned. However, the report did not state that the court had acquitted him or overturned his conviction.

The FactCheckHub found no credible report confirming that Ekpa had been acquitted by the Finnish court. An acquittal or the overturning of his six-year terrorism-related conviction would be a significant development in a high-profile case involving a Nigerian separatist leader and would ordinarily attract widespread coverage from credible local and international media organisations.

VERDICT

The claim that Simon Ekpa was acquitted by a Finnish court is FALSE. Ekpa was sentenced to six years in prison in September 2025 and appeared at an appeal hearing in Finland on August 6 2026. Reports on the proceedings indicate that he was seeking to overturn his conviction; there is no credible evidence that he had been acquitted or that his sentence had been overturned.

Osun 2026: Senator Fadahunsi’s ‘kill’ remark in viral video is real, not AI-generated

Zainab ABDULRASAQ
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Osun 2026: Senator Fadahunsi’s ‘kill’ remark in viral video is real, not AI-generated

A VIRAL video circulating on social media shows Francis Fadahunsi, the senator representing Osun East, addressing a crowd of supporters in Ilesa, Osun State, ahead of the governorship election.

Speaking in Yoruba, Fadahunsi, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), is heard addressing his supporters and urging them to confront opposition party members, with his remarks translated as ‘kill them’.

The senator said in the video:

“What kind of life is this? We don’t want to hear anything about the Accord Party again in Ilesa. We have now told you, until the election period, whenever you see them, kill them.”

The remarks sparked widespread public outrage, with public figures including musician David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, and Osun State governor Ademola Adeleke calling for Fadahunsi’s arrest. The senator, however, denied inciting violence.

In a statement titled ‘Kill Osun Accord with Votes, Not Violence, Fadahunsi Tells APC’, his media office said the remarks were a call to defeat the opposition at the polls rather than through violence.

However, during a subsequent live interview on TVC News, the senator claimed that the video circulating on social media was created using artificial intelligence (AI), while also arguing that his reference to ‘reprisal’ meant defeating political opponents at the polling units.

READ: AI-generated image falsely depicts Simon Ekpa celebrating in court

CLAIM

Senator Francis Fadahunsi claims viral video showing him calling for Accord Party members to be killed is AI-generated.

Screenshot of the TVC interview with Fadahunsi

FINDINGS

Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is FALSE.

To verify the authenticity of the clip, The FactCheckHub subjected various angles of the footage to digital forensic tools. Analysis using Hive Moderation returned a 0.2 per cent probability that the footage was AI-generated and a 0.1 per cent probability that it was a deepfake, indicating that the media is authentic. Another angle of the footage analysed by Hive Moderation was rated 100 per cent real. These results support the conclusion that the footage is authentic and has not been manipulated.

screenshot of the two results from Hive Moderation

The FactCheckHub subjected the images to another verification tool, IsItAI, which returned a 69 per cent probability that the media was authentic and unmanipulated.

Screenshot of IsItAI result after subjecting the images.

Beyond forensic detection, inconsistencies in the lawmaker’s defence also cast doubt on the AI claim. Before alleging that the video was AI-generated, his media team issued an official statement seeking to contextualise the remarks as political rhetoric, effectively acknowledging that the incident occurred.

READ ALSO: Claim that genetic mutation makes people entirely immune to HIV is misleading

Furthermore, during his live appearance on TVC News, Fadahunsi admitted to speaking Yoruba in the video, claiming that his statement was merely a ‘parable’. He also confirmed that he led a protest at the Oba’s palace in Ilesa on Tuesday, the same location where the video was recorded.

“When I got to the Oba’s palace today, I led my people there to protest to the Oba that last night we lost three people. This morning, they’ve killed again,” he stated during the broadcast.

Additionally, The ICIR and other media organisations reported the lawmaker’s remarks and subsequently reported that the Nigeria Police Force had invited Fadahunsi for questioning over the alleged incitement to violence.

VERDICT

The claim by senator Francis Fadahunsi that the viral video showing him threatening Accord Party members is AI-generated is FALSE. Forensic analysis confirms that the footage is genuine, while the senator’s own admissions and official statements acknowledge that the event took place.

Osun 2026: Meet the 13 faces in the governorship race

Mustapha Usman
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Osun 2026: Meet the 13 faces in the governorship race

THIRTEEN candidates, including the incumbent Governor, Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party; the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Bola Oyebamiji; and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate, Najeem Salam, are vying for the Osun State governorship seat in an election scheduled for this Saturday, August 15.

The poll, which has increasingly taken the shape of a three-way contest, will see the three leading candidates and their respective parties slugging it out, while other contenders will also seek to prove their mettle in the race.

The exercise will be held across the state’s 30 local government areas, 332 registration areas and 3,763 polling units, with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) listing 2,339,233 registered voters for the poll and deploying 5,130 Bimodal Voter Accreditation System devices.

INEC had cleared 14 candidates for the election, but the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate, Adeyemi-Doro Adesina, withdrew from the exercise and threw his weight behind the APC.

The election is the second off-cycle governorship election in the South-West this year after Ekiti’s which took place on June 18.

Data by the electoral commission noted that about 16,374 ad hoc personnel are expected to participate in the exercise, while thousands of security personnel are to be deployed across the state.

Although the other 10 candidates could affect the distribution of votes, the election has increasingly revolved around Adeleke, Oyebamiji and Salam.

Adeleke seeks second term

Adeleke is seeking to retain the seat he won in 2022 after defeating the then-incumbent governor, Adegboyega Oyetola of the APC, who is now the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy.

The victory reversed the outcome of the 2018 election, when Oyetola defeated Adeleke by only 482 votes after INEC declared the initial poll inconclusive.

Four years later, Adeleke won 403,371 votes against Oyetola’s 375,027, according to INEC’s result.

Now seeking another term, Adeleke has built his campaign around what his administration describes as achievements in infrastructure, healthcare, education, agriculture and workers’ welfare.

When he emerged as Accord Party’s candidate in December 2025, Adeleke unveiled an updated five-point agenda covering citizens and workers’ welfare, infrastructure, agro-industrial development, health and education, and the business environment.

But the governor is entering the election under considerable pressure. His administration has been involved in prolonged disputes with the APC over the control of local governments, while his government and some other opposition parties have also traded words over political violence and the activities of security agencies. Adeleke is from Ede.

APC’s attempt to return to power 

Oyebamiji is the APC’s candidate in the forthcoming election. He served as Osun commissioner for finance under former governor Rauf Aregbesola and later under Oyetola.

He subsequently became managing director of the National Inland Waterways Authority before resigning in 2025 to pursue the governorship.

For the APC, the election is an opportunity to reclaim a state it lost to Adeleke in 2022 and also win it for President Bola Tinubu who is seeking re-election on the APC platform. The party’s national influence also gives the contest a wider political dimension.

The candidate is from Ikire in Irewole Local Government of Osun State.

Salam banks on Aregbesola, other ADC members backing

Salam is the third major name in the contest. The ADC candidate is a former Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly and represented Ejigbo Constituency in the legislature.

He served as Speaker between 2011 and 2015 and returned to the Assembly in 2017.

His political experience gives the ADC a candidate with a longstanding presence in Osun politics.

More importantly, his candidacy provides an alternative for voters who are dissatisfied with both Adeleke and the APC.

Olanrewaju Farinloye – Action Alliance

Olanrewaju Farinloye, 40, is the governorship candidate of the Action Alliance (AA).

According to the candidate information published by INEC , Farinloye has GCSE and CCECS academic qualifications. His running mate is Fadahunsi Olaniyi, 67.

Olajide Esan – African Action Congress

Olajide Esan, 39, is contesting on the platform of the African Action Congress (AAC).

He holds First School Leaving Certificate, Senior Secondary School Certificate and a Bachelor of Science degree. His running mate is Bello Muideen Yekeen, 51.

Yemisi Adeagbo Opawoye – African Democratic Party

Yemisi Adeagbo Opawoye, 84, is the only female governorship candidate in the race. She is contesting under the African Democratic Party (ADP) and holds a Bachelor of Education degree.

She is paired with Atanda Eniola Babatunde, 43.

Her candidacy also makes her the oldest of the 14 candidates cleared for the election.

Adewale Adebayo – Allied Peoples Movement

Adewale Adebayo is the governorship candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM).

He has secured the endorsement of the Turaki faction of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state.

Clement Adesuyi – Action Peoples Party

Clement Adesuyi is contesting the governorship election on the platform of the Action Peoples Party (APP). He is one of the candidates outside the leading political camps in the race.

He emerged as the governorship candidate of his party in December 2025. His manifesto, he said, focuses on transforming the state through increased investment in youth empowerment, healthcare, education and infrastructure.

Masilo Adeleke – Boot Party

Masilo Adeleke is the governorship candidate of the Boot Party. Adeleke contested in 2023 for the senatorial election but lost.

Masilo, in his campaign promises, pledged to change the face of Osun State economically and infrastructurally.

He noted that his government would be modelled  in line with late chief Bola Ige administration in 1979 to 1983.

Taofeek Adeleke – New Nigeria Peoples Party

Taofeek Adeleke is the candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP). He said his administration would seek to improve residents’ living standards across the state by prioritising education, healthcare, security and infrastructure.

Saliu Oyelami – Peoples Redemption Party

Saliu Oyelami is contesting under the platform of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP). In July, Oyelami boasted he would win the poll, saying the incumbent Ademola Adeleke would be among the first to congratulate him after the election

Olalekan Ogunsakin – Young Progressives Party

Olalekan Ogunsakin is the governorship candidate of the Young Progressives Party (YPP). He is among the candidates from smaller parties seeking to compete for the state’s top political office.

Adefemi Adesuyi – Zenith Labour Party

Adefemi Adesuyi is the candidate of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP). During his campaign, he said he was targeting over 800,000 incorruptible voters to secure victory.

Adeyemi-Doro Adesina – All Progressives Grand Alliance candidate withdraws, backs APC 

Meanwhile, Adeyemi-Doro Adesina, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the election had on Saturday, August 8, said he had withdrawn from the race and endorsed the APC candidate.

Giving the reasons for his withdrawal during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Monday, August 10, he said his decision was based on what he considered to be the best interest of the state and its people.

The APGA candidate said his involvement in politics was driven by a desire to serve rather than to pursue personal ambition or political office.

This story is republished from The ICIR

Video does not show Mary Habila’s father accusing David Umahi of threat

Nurudeen Akewushola
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Video does not show Mary Habila’s father accusing David Umahi of threat

A VIDEO circulating on social media claims to show the father of Mary Habila, the 26-year-old physiotherapist who died at the residence of Nigeria’s minister of works, David Umahi, accusing the minister of threatening him.

An X user, @SadiqMaunde, shared the video with the caption:

“The father of the lady who died in David Umahi’s house said that Umahi is threatening him. Listen for yourselves. Omo.”

As of August 11, 2026, the post had generated over 2,800 reposts and more than 4,900 likes.

CLAIM

Video shows Mary Habila’s father accusing David Umahi of threatening him.

screenshot of the viral post showing Tabara Samuel Kato, the National President of SOKAPU not habila’s father

FINDINGS

Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is FALSE.

Mary Habila, a 26-year-old physiotherapist, died on June 27, 2026, at the residence of Nigeria’s Minister of Works, David Umahi, in Uburu, Ebonyi State, southeastern Nigeria. Her death sparked controversy, with calls for an investigation and autopsy to determine the circumstances and cause of death. Umahi has denied any wrongdoing.

In an affidavit filed before the Ebonyi state high court, Habila’s father, Tanko Habila Wisdom, rejected an autopsy and requested the release of his daughter’s body for burial. He stated that the family did not suspect foul play and did not wish to pursue further investigations into her death.

The controversy continued after the Southern Kaduna Peoples United Associations (SOKAPU), a socio-cultural organisation representing the people of Southern Kaduna, filed a lawsuit seeking an independent investigation into Habila’s death. The association also sought N20 billion in damages.

Checks by The FactCheckHub show that the man speaking in the viral video is SOKAPU’s national president Tabara Samuel Kato, and not Habila’s father.

Kato made the remarks during an emergency press conference on July 28, 2026, following SOKAPU’s lawsuit seeking an investigation into Habila’s death. According to the association, Umahi contacted Kato via WhatsApp that morning after learning of the lawsuit and a television interview Kato had granted. SOKAPU alleged that the minister threatened Kato in connection with the lawsuit.

Kato alleged that Umahi made the following remarks before ending the call: “I am David Umahi, the Honourable Minister of Works. I saw your suit against me, you need money right? I will teach you a lesson of your life such that you will learn never to mess with person like me. I will give you 10 lawsuits. People are mourning and there you are taking me to court. I will deal with you!”

These claims were made by Kato and SOKAPU and, on their own, do not establish that Umahi made the alleged threats.

The viral post therefore misidentifies Kato as Habila’s father, creating the false impression that the deceased’s father was the person accusing Umahi of making threats. Available reports show that Habila’s father instead rejected an autopsy, withdrew from further investigation and requested that his daughter’s body be released for burial.

VERDICT

The claim that the video shows Mary Habila’s father accusing David Umahi of threatening him is FALSE. The man in the video is Tabara Samuel Kato, SOKAPU’s national president, who made the allegations against Umahi during a press conference over Habila’s death. Habila’s father is Tanko Habila Wisdom.

Peter Obi did not head Nigeria’s Securities and Exchange Commission under Jonathan

Zainab ABDULRASAQ
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Peter Obi did not head Nigeria’s Securities and Exchange Commission under Jonathan

A VIRAL post on X (formerly Twitter) by user @AmodaOgunlere claimed that Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and former governor of Anambra State, served as director general of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) under former Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan.

The Securities and Exchange Commission is the primary regulatory institution overseeing Nigeria’s capital market.

The post challenged users to share videos highlighting Obi’s alleged achievements and reforms during his purported tenure as SEC director general, comparing him to the current SEC director general, Dr. Emomotimi Agama.

The caption says:

“Peter Obi was appointed as SEC Director General by GEJ, now show me one video of Peter Obi speaking on issues like this when he was head of SEC. Show me a single video of his reforms and achievement as head of SEC… I will withdraw my support for Tinubu ASAP!”

As of August 10, 2026, the post has garnered over 36,000 views, 190 retweets and over 400 likes.

READ: No, Peter Obi did not ask Nigerian Army to reject salary increase until after 2027

CLAIM

Post claims Peter Obi served as director general of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) under former Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan.

Screenshot of the post

FINDINGS

Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is FALSE.

A review of official government announcements and news archives from April 2015 found no evidence that Obi was ever appointed director general of the SEC.

On April 27, 2015, Jonathan appointed Obi as the Chairman of the SEC Board, a non-executive position. On the same day, Jonathan confirmed Mounir Haliru Gwarzo as the substantive director general of the SEC. Channels Television, Vanguard and other media houses reported the appointments.

The video attached to the viral post features the current director general of the SEC, Agama, discussing technical capital market reforms following the launch of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Payments Vision 2028.

In the broadcast, Agama explained how the capital market transitioned from a T+5 settlement timeline down to a T+1 settlement cycle, noting that shorter settlement times allow investors to access funds faster after completing transactions, in line with the Nigerian Capital Market Master Plan.

READ ALSO: Fact-checking Peter Obi’s claims on Channels TV

According to the Securities and Exchange Commission, the office of the director general, which was held by Mounir Gwarzo in 2015, is the apex of the SEC’s hierarchy. The office plays a pivotal role in overseeing the overall functions of the Commission and is responsible for setting its strategic direction in line with the broader objectives of Nigeria’s capital market.

While the page did not explicitly state the functions of the Chairman, the two positions are distinct and separate administrative offices within the SEC.

VERDICT

The claim that Peter Obi was director general of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is FALSE. Obi was appointed Chairman of the SEC Board in April 2015, while Mounir Gwarzo served as the director general.

No, Peter Obi did not ask Nigerian Army to reject salary increase until after 2027

Nurudeen Akewushola
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No, Peter Obi did not ask Nigerian Army to reject salary increase until after 2027

A claim that Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, called on the Nigerian military to reject the recently announced salary increase for military personnel until after the 2027 general election has surfaced online.

The claim was shared by an X user, @HighChiefOkoro, alongside a screenshot that appears to resemble a report by Peoples Gazette, a Nigerian media platform.

He captioned the post:

“Peter Obi has called on the Nigeria military to reject the increase of their salary until the 2027 election.”

As of August 10, 2026, the post had generated over 150 reposts and more than 400 likes.

The post was also surfaced here and here.

 

CLAIM

Peter Obi called on the Nigerian military to reject the salary increase until after the 2027 election.

Screenshot of the viral post

FINDINGS

Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is FALSE.

The claim comes amid recent moves by the Bola Tinubu administration to improve the welfare and remuneration of personnel in the Nigerian Armed Forces. In July 2026, Nigeria’s Defence Minister Christopher Musa said the government had increased the minimum monthly salary of soldiers from ₦49,000 to ₦100,000, describing the adjustment as part of efforts to improve troop welfare.

The government subsequently announced a broader salary increase for Armed Forces personnel. President Bola Tinubu approved the new pay structure in August 2026, with the increases scheduled to take effect from September 1, 2026. Under the approved structure, personnel from private to staff sergeant will receive an 80 per cent increase, while warrant officers to colonels will receive a 50 per cent increase. Senior officers above the rank of colonel, including generals, will receive a 30 per cent increase. The adjustment is expected to raise the annual military wage bill from about ₦660 billion to ₦924 billion.

However, checks by The FactCheckHub found no evidence that Obi called on the military to reject the salary increase until after the 2027 election. Searches of his official communication channels and credible media reports found no record of such a statement.

The screenshot attributed to Peoples Gazette also could not be matched to any genuine report published by the media organisation. Searches of its website and official social media platforms found no credible record of the purported story.

The absence of the claim from Obi’s official channels and credible media reports shows that the information is not authentic.

VERDICT

The claim that Peter Obi asked the Nigerian military to reject the salary increase until after the 2027 election is FALSE. The purported Peoples Gazette report could not be verified, and the statement does not appear on Obi’s official platforms or in credible media reports.

 

AI-generated image falsely depicts Simon Ekpa celebrating in court

Nurudeen Akewushola
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0
AI-generated image falsely depicts Simon Ekpa celebrating in court

AN X user, @UgoJustrealugo, has posted an image claiming to show Simon Ekpa, the self-acclaimed prime minister of the Biafra Republic Government in Exile (BRGIE), raising his hands in victory during a recent court appearance in Finland.

The image shows Ekpa standing in what appears to be a courtroom with both hands raised. The X user shared the image with the caption:

“A powerful courtroom moment, capturing emotion and the belief that justice has prevailed.”

The post has generated over 80 reposts and more than 400 likes as of August 7, 2026.

CLAIM

An image shows Simon Ekpa raising his hands in victory during his recent court appearance in Finland.

Screenshot of the viral post

FINDINGS

Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is MISLEADING.

Simon Ekpa is the self-acclaimed prime minister of the Biafra Republic Government in Exile, an Autopilot faction of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). He was arrested in Finland in November 2024 over allegations relating to terrorism and incitement in Nigeria’s South-East.

Following a four-month trial, a Finnish court sentenced Ekpa to six years in prison in September 2025 for terrorism-related offences and ordered the confiscation of his assets. Ekpa has repeatedly denied sponsoring terrorism.

Result from Is it AI detection tool

To verify the authenticity of the viral image, The FactCheckHub subjected it to two AI image detection tools.

First, DeepAI’s AI Image Detector returned a 91 per cent probability that the image was AI-generated.

The FactCheckHub also analysed the image using Is It AI, another AI content verification tool. The tool returned a 99 per cent probability that the image was AI-generated.

Further examination of the image shows an indicator at the bottom of the image confirming that it was created with AI.

The FactCheckHub found no credible evidence that the image was taken during Ekpa’s court appearance or that it depicts an actual moment from the proceedings.

VERDICT

The claim that the image shows Simon Ekpa raising his hands in victory during his court appearance is MISLEADING. Analysis of the image shows it is AI-generated.

How to respond after sharing a debunked post

Zainab ABDULRASAQ
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How to respond after sharing a debunked post

THE recent misinformation involving Africa Independent Television (AIT), a Nigerian TV station, highlights the need for stronger media literacy, as false information often continues to spread across social media long after it has been debunked.

On July 7, 2026, AIT shared a 2024 video of President Bola Tinubu reciting Nigeria’s former national anthem during a Federal Executive Council meeting, but misleadingly presented it as current footage from July 7, 2026. The post quickly went viral, prompting widespread reactions and discussions among media personalities, social media users, and the general public.

Nigeria officially reverted to its former national anthem on May 29, 2024, after Tinubu signed a bill restoring “Nigeria, We Hail Thee” as the country’s official anthem. The anthem had originally been in use from independence in 1960 until 1978, when it was replaced with “Arise, O Compatriots.”

The following day, July 8, 2026, AIT retracted the video and issued a public apology. The station acknowledged that the broadcast resulted from an oversight and said it would strengthen its editorial verification processes to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Despite AIT’s prompt correction, the false narrative continued to spread. Days after the apology, many social media users were still sharing the misleading video or leaving their original posts uncorrected.

The psychology and profit behind persistent misinformation

Research shows that the continued sharing of false information, even after it has been corrected and debunked, is driven by both psychological and financial factors.

The FactCheckHub reported how the introduction of monetisation features on major social media platforms has amplified the spread of misinformation and hate speech online. Because creators and influencers earn revenue from views, impressions, and engagement, deleting a viral post can mean forfeiting traffic and potential income. As a result, some users keep misleading posts online, prioritising financial gain over factual accuracy.

Another major driver is habitual social media use. Research shows that frequent users often share content automatically in pursuit of likes, comments, and online attention. This focus on social validation and maintaining an active online presence leaves little room for verifying information before posting, making factual accuracy a secondary concern.

Furthermore, even when users are presented with a clear correction, a psychological phenomenon known as the Continued Influence Effect makes misinformation difficult to dispel. Once people encode information in memory, it can continue to shape their thinking even after it has been proven false. As a result, a simple retraction is often insufficient to replace the original narrative, allowing the false claim to persist and continue circulating online.

What social media users should do after a post is debunked

If you discover that a post you shared is false or has been debunked, take immediate steps to prevent it from spreading further.

Delete the post

Deleting the post is the most effective way to stop the spread of misinformation. It prevents new users from seeing or sharing the false content and removes the misleading post from your timeline.

Update the post with clear context

If you prefer to keep the post online for transparency, clearly indicate that it has been debunked. Edit the caption or pin a comment with the correct information. For example: “UPDATE: This post has been debunked. The original video was recorded in 2024, not 2026.” This helps ensure that anyone who comes across the post understands that the original claim is false.

Avoid engaging with the debunked post

Avoid responding to comments on a debunked post with vague or defensive replies. Every comment or reply signals to the platform’s algorithm that the post is still generating engagement, which can increase its visibility and expose more people to the false content.

Verify before you share

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Video does not show breaking discovery of gold in Arochukwu, Abia State

Zainab ABDULRASAQ
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Video does not show breaking discovery of gold in Arochukwu, Abia State

A VIRAL video circulating on social media claims that gold was discovered at a road construction site in Arochukwu, Abia State, prompting scores of residents to rush to the location in an attempt to collect the precious metal.

The claim was shared in a Facebook post by Igbere TV with the caption:

“BREAKING! Gold Reportedly Discovered in Construction Site in Arochukwu Abia State.”

The post features footage of a large crowd digging through soil and gathering rocks at what appears to be a road construction site.

As of August 6,2026, the post has generated over 1000 likes, 300 comments and more than 100 shares.

The claim also surfaced on X here.

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CLAIM

A viral video claims to show the discovery of gold at a road construction site in Arochukwu, Abia State.

Screenshot of the viral post=

FINDINGS

Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is MISLEADING.

A reverse image search conducted by The FactCheckHub revealed that the footage is neither recent nor breaking news.

The FactCheckHub found that the footage had been circulating online months earlier. On June 16, 2026, Native Reporters, a Nigerian digital news platform, shared the video on Instagram, reporting that residents had rushed to gather stones after mistaking them for mineral resources. A day later, on June 17, 2026, Realtvng published the same footage, similarly reporting that residents had flocked to the site to collect stones they believed were valuable mineral deposits.

These earlier posts indicate that residents of Arochukwu did gather at the road construction site to collect stones. However, they did so amid unverified claims that a valuable mineral resource had been discovered there, not because there was any confirmed discovery of gold.

Although Abia State is known to possess a variety of mineral resources, including limestone, kaolin, bentonite clay, silica sand, gold, and phosphate, this does not substantiate the claim made in the viral video. The FactCheckHub found no credible evidence or official report confirming that the footage shows the discovery of gold or any other mineral resource at the construction site.

In 2023, Abia State Commissioner for Information and Culture, Prince Okey Kanu, disclosed that 17 solid minerals had been identified in various parts of the state, including Arochukwu. He added that the state government planned to deploy the necessary resources to explore and develop these mineral deposits.

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However, there is no official report or geological assessment from the Abia State government or the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development confirming that gold has recently been discovered at the road construction site featured in the viral video.

Furthermore, there is no credible evidence linking the circulating video to the discovery of gold or any other mineral resource.

VERDICT

The claim that a viral video shows a recent discovery of gold at a road construction site in Arochukwu, Abia State, is MISLEADING. The FactCheckHub found that the footage had been circulating online since at least June 2026 and was not recorded recently. While residents did gather at the site to collect stones amid unverified claims of a mineral discovery, there is no official or credible evidence confirming that gold or any other valuable mineral was discovered at the location.

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