To commemorate its one year anniversary, The FactCheckHub held a verification masterclass.
The masterclass titled, “How to identify and debunk misinformation,” took place on Zoom and Facebook on Tuesday, August 10, 2021.
Below is a recording of the session.
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The Commonwealth is offering scholarships, however, a misleading website is being circulated on WhatsApp.
This is a trend observed by The FactCheckHub overtime whereby scammers and phishers ride on the back of legitimate projects to carry out their activities.
The post circulating on WhatsApp read in part “Apply for United Kingdom Scholarship 2021, Fully funded scholarship to study for free in UK”, this was accompanied with a link that redirects to this website “Uk-scholarship.get-noww.xyz”.
The landing page of the website is riddled with grammatical, spelling errors as well as American spelling, this is a red flag because a commonwealth scholarship website which is funded by United Kingdom and targets applications from countries under the former British empire would be using the British spelling of ‘programme’, instead of ‘program’ as was obtainable and so on.
This and other grammatical errors can be spotted across all the pages on the website.
Another red flag from the landing page is the non-clickable social media icons. The social media icons on a website are supposed to redirect to the website’s social media handles when clicked, however this was not the case.
In addition, the page has a testimonial or user comments page that has a Facebook like comment interface, however the commenters profile, just like the icons, were not clickable too.
Furthermore, after filling the form, a prompt to share the website link to a number of whatsApp individuals or groups appears. This is one of the characteristics of scam and phishing websites observed by The FactCheckHub in a report about scam websites in Nigeria.
The FactCheckHub had earlier noted in a report here on how to spot and avoid such scam websites.
IN a bid to tackle misinformation on its micro-blogging platform, Twitter has partnered with two international news platforms, the Associated Press (AP) and Reuters.
Making the announcement in a blog post, Twitter stated that the collaboration will help the platform in identifying and elevating credible information.
“We are committed to making sure that when people come to Twitter to see what’s happening, they are able to easily find reliable information.”
Social media platforms have been making conscious efforts in tackling misinformation, particularly in curbing elections and COVID-19 related ones.
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Twitter in January launched Birdwatch, a community-based approach to tackle misinformation.
The Birdwatch allows people to identify information in Tweets they believe is misleading and write notes to give informative context on it.
Twitter, however, added that this new partnership will help provide veracious context to wide range of issues on the platform.
“Twitter will be able to expand the scale and increase the speed of our efforts to provide timely, authoritative context across the wide range of global topics and conversations that happen on Twitter every day,”
IN commemoration of its one year anniversary, The FactCheckHub is set to host a verification masterclass.
The matersclass titled, “How to identify and debunk misinformation,” will take place on Zoom and Facebook on Tuesday, August 10, 2021.
Registration for the masterclass which is FREE and open to all can be done via here.
Established in 2020, The FactCheckHub is an initiative of the International Centre for Investigative Reporting (The ICIR) aimed at combatting misinformation in the society.
Since it launching in August of 2020, The FactCheckHub has verified claims across varied subjects and even coutside the shores of Nigeria. The Fact-Checks can be read here are also amplified in multiple languages.
The FactCheckHub is a non-partisan platform for fact-checking with the primary aim of combating misinformation, disinformation, hoaxes and rumours about topical issues including COVID-19, elections, health and governance, among others.
Speaking on the masterclass, Bamas Victoria, the Editor and Team Lead of The FactCheckHub stated that the masterclass, which is free, poised to empower the participants with basic fact-checking skills.
“In this age, the traditional media no longer have monopoly of technology for multiplying and distribution of news as was obtainable in the past, this simply means this hitherto exclusive access has now been extended to anyone with a phone and access to the internet.
The downside of this development is the infodemic – people are constantly faced with information from multiple sources. And because everyone now have access to share information online, misinformation and disinformation thrive; this has contributed to the reason why ‘fake news’ has become a buzzword and why media and independent fact-checking organisations are springing up to help combat and checkmate this trend. “
She added that all hands must be on deck in combating misinformation and in ensuring only factual information trends whether online or offline.
“However, this is not enough. All hands need to be on deck in combating misinformation. Therefore, the ability and skills to be able to discern what is factual and what is not is now a necessity for individuals in this global age.”
Opeyemi Kehinde, the Deputy Editor and Amplification Lead and Olugbenga Adanikin, a Researcher, Investigative journalist and Fact-Checker host the classes.
Interested participants can register here.
ON THURSDAY, July 29, 2021, social media was abuzz in Nigeria following a warrant of arrest issued against a Deputy Commissioner of Nigerian Police Abba Kyari after his indictment in the ongoing fraud trial of Nigerian Ramon Olorunwa Abbas, known as Hushpuppi, in the United States.
The news published here, here and here stated the warrant was issued on July 26 by Otis Wright, a judge in the United States District Court for the Central District of California.
Kyari was said to have been bribed by Hushpuppi to have Chibuzo Vincent, one of his associates, arrested and jailed in Nigeria following a dispute over a $1.1 million fraud of a Qatari businessperson.
Although, Kyari has denied the allegation on his Facebook Page but a Twitter user with username @Truthfully83 claimed that Kyari faces a charge that attracts 20 years in prison if found guilty.
The tweet partly reads: “Conspiracy to commit fraud in the United States, carries a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in a federal prison. Sorry, Super cop Abba Kyari, you are about to embark on a long journey,” his tweet read.
Conspiracy to commit in U.S carries a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years.
It was noted in a 66-page charge sheet prepared by the U.S District Court seen by The FactCheckHub that Kyari, Hushpuppi and four others are being charged with “Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud” and “Conspiracy to Engage in Money Laundering”.
“Accordingly, there is probable cause to believe that ABBAS, JUMA, CHIBUZO, KYARI, FASHOLA, and AGBABIAKA committed violations of 18 U.S.C. § 1349 (Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud) and 18 U.S.C. § 1956(h) (Conspiracy to Engage in Money Laundering),” the charge sheet read in part.
According to the 18 U.S.C. § 1349 of the US law, a person has committed a wired fraud when he or she uses “wired communications as part of a scheme to defraud involving a material deception with the intent to deprive another of money, property, or honest services.”
It also stated that conspiracy to commit wire fraud occurs when two or more people connive to defraud another person of money, property, or honest services and interstate wired communications are used in perpetrating the crime.
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According to U.S. federal law, wired fraud is classified as a class C felony, which attracts up to twenty years in prison, three years of supervised release and $250,000 in fines.
It read “Under federal law, the crime of Wire Fraud is a Class C felony, punishable by up to twenty years in prison, three years of supervised release, and $250,000 in fines. Additionally, complete restitution will be ordered and any property obtained from the proceeds of the offense will be confiscated.”
On the order hand, the second charge against Kyari, Husspuppi and the four others, which is, conspiracy to engage in money laundering attracts a fine of $500,000 or twice the value of the property involved in the transaction or imprisonment of not more than twenty years or both.
The claim that the conspiracy to commit fraud in the United States carries a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years is TRUE, it, however, also attracts up to three years of supervised release and $250,000 in fines.
AS part of efforts to check the spread of fake news, the Minister of Information and Culture Lai Mohammed, on Tuesday, sought partnership with the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO).
The partnership seek to make factual information available as a way of countering the false narratives projected by some Nigerians abroad.
Mohammed made the call in Abuja during a courtesy visit by members of NIDO, UK Chapter, to his office.
“As an organised and well-connected group, I implore NIDO to leverage its contacts in government circles, parliamentary groups, and global think tanks in world capitals to help change the narrative and sweep the carpet off the feet of secessionist groups, insurgents, and anarchists who are bent on pushing false narratives to portray Nigeria in a bad light.”
“’I have no doubt that you will take this call seriously and do everything in your power to change the narrative for the better,” he said.
However, describing NIDO’s role as imperative to fighting misinformation about the country, he noted that as critical stakeholders, the responsibilities could be carried out through supports from the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM).
The Minister said as part of deliberate efforts to counter anti-government propaganda, which is aimed at drowning the country, the government is scaling up diplomatic efforts to reverse the trend.
Did Lai Mohammed say the Igbos are responsible for Nigeria’s underdevelopment?
“On our part as government, we are currently re-engineering and ramping up our diplomatic efforts to counter and reverse the narrative, in addition to countering pervasive anti-government propaganda,” he said.
The Chairman, NIDO, UK Chapter, Chibuzo Ubochi, called on the National Assembly to fast track the passage of the bill that would enable Nigerians in Diaspora to vote and be voted for during elections, in view of their numerous contributions to the Nigerian economy.
FEW DAYS after a Nigerian socialite and businessman, Obinna Iyiegwu, popularly known as Obi Cubana laid his mother to rest in Oba, Anambra State, a post circulated on social media claimed he is giving out money to people via a website.
The post, which The FactCheckHub retrieved from a WhatsApp group on July 26 2021, claimed he is giving out N25,750 to people as part of celebration of his mother’s funeral. Attached to the post is a web link people are asked to visit to the get the money.
The post read: “Obi Cubana giveaway. N25,750 giveaway as part of Obi Cubana Mother’s burial. This giveaway is available to all. Get now.” followed by a web link [archived here]
Obi Cubana is celebrating his mother’s funeral by giving out N25,750 which can be accessed via the attached link.
Checks by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is FALSE.
The FactCheckHub observed that the website attached to the claim has similar characteristics of phishing websites attached to claims previously debunked here, here and here.
For instance, the landing page of the website obigiveaway.blogspot.com asked people to input email address to apply for the money.
The successive page asked people to answer three questions after which they are asked to share the invitation with 15 friends or five groups on WhatsApp.
This is also a characteristics observed with phishing and scam websites circulating in Nigeria. An analysis of such websites was captured in this report: Riding on WhatsApp, scam sites soar in wake of COVID-19.
Similarly, Avast antivirus flagged the website and tagged it as infected with scam.
You can learn how to identify phishing websites here.
The claim that the Nigerian socialite and businessman, Obinna Iyiegwu, popularly known as Obi Cubana is celebrating his mother’s funeral with free money gift is FALSE, the website attached to the claim is a scam or phishing website.
A video circulating on social media claims some Ghanaian youths rejected bags of rice donated by one of the country’s politicians and asked for jobs instead.
The post was screenshot by The FactCheckHub on Tuesday 20 July, 2021 via WhatsApp.
In the widely shared WhatsApp post, it states that the youths demanded jobs, improved standard of living instead of rice.
“Can Nigerian youths ever emulate them and reject N5,000 given to them by politicians during elections?” the quote reads.
It was also shared by a former Nigerian lawmaker, Dino Melaye, on his Instagram.
Meanwhile, the claim was also shared on Facebook and other online news platforms.
Ghanaian youth reject free bags of rice from politician, demand for jobs
A search through Ghanaian media organisations revealed the incident occurred in a location known as Busunu in West Gonja Municipality.
The municipal is under the Savannah district and its capital is Damongo. The incident was reported on 20 July 2021. Youths from the community rejected bags of rice sent to them by the federal lawmaker representing Damongo Constituency, Samuel ABU Jinapor.
The youths were led by a teacher identified as Gbelo, the report on My Joy online stated.
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The media platform is one of the multiple media organisations owned by The Multimedia Group, established in 1995.
“The era of promise and fail by politicians and political parties in Busunu is over. We didn’t ask you to give us rice, you promised us jobs and not rice and we have gone beyond the rice,” the youth chanted.
Reports say the food gift was for the Eid-el-Adha celebration among Muslims in his constituent in Ghana.
The BBC also reported the incident.
Independent findings show that the lawmaker is a lawyer and also a member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP). The lawmaker had earlier promised the youth jobs during the election period which brought him to office.
Based on multiple verifiable evidence, the claim that some Ghanaian youths rejected bags of rice from their lawmaker is TRUE.
A report published in June 2021 states that the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD) has developed Niprimune for COVID-19 treatment.
The report by Pharma News Online which has been viewed almost a thousand times was attributed to the NIPRD Director-General, a medical doctor, Obi Adigwe.
The headline of the report reads: “We Have Developed NIPRIMUNE for COVID-19 Treatment – NIPRD DG”
The NIPRD has developed Niprimune for the treatment of COVID-19.
NIPRIMUNE is a herbal drug developed by NIPRD to serve as an immune booster.
In January 2021, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) approved the drug for public use.
The FactCheckHub interviewed Adigwe to verify the assertion of the drug’s capacity to treat COVID-19 but the DG dismissed the claim.
He said it can be used legally to boost the human’s immune system but it is not yet a cure against the COVID-19 virus.
The drug, he said, was on the verge of undergoing clinical trials.
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He said it was developed from a plant identified as Andrographis paniculata. Other studies on the plant could be found here where it is described as having anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory capabilities but there was no point where it is said to be capable of curing the COVID-19.
Adigwe during the interview said: “Nigerians can legally buy our product [Niprimune] and use it as either preventive or adjunct to whatever treatment you are taking because it has empirical evidence that it boosts the immune system but we cannot legally say this product [Niprimune] cures COVID-19. That, we cannot legally do until we finish the clinical tests.”
The COVID-19 pandemic has claimed several lives in Nigeria. As of 19th of July 2021, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control recorded 2,128 deaths due to the pandemic, and 169,678 confirmed cases. But 164,710 has so far been discharged.
Globally, data from the World Health Organisation (WHO) as of 19th of July 2021, pegged the total COVID-19 induced mortalities at over 4 million deaths.
However, the Nigerian government has so far relied on a foreign vaccine – the Oxford AstraZeneca. No local vaccine or drug has been approved as a COVID-19 cure or for its treatment.
The report that NIPRD has developed Niprimune for the treatment of COVID-19 is MISLEADING as the drug -Niprimune – is yet to undergo clinical trials to test its efficacy for COVID-19 treatment. As it stands, Niprimune is an immune booster and not a cure or treatment for COVID-19.
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