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Claim that Jonathan endorsed Tinubu for 2027 election is FALSE!

Fatimah Quadri
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Claim that Jonathan endorsed Tinubu for 2027 election is FALSE!

A claim that a former president of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan has endorsed President Bola Tinubu for 2027 presidential election has surfaced the internet and is particularly circulating on Facebook.

The claim was made in a Facebook post by a user News in Naija, the post noted that Jonathan has expressed confidence that President Bola Tinubu will win re-election in 2027 if he chooses to run.

The post added that the former president made this known while speaking in Seoul, South Korea, after receiving the 2025 Sunhak Peace Prize.

READ:No, State of Emergency was declared in Borno, Yobe 

The post read:

Tinubu Will Win 2027 Presidential Election – Goodluck Jonathan
Former President, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, says no coalition formed to unseat President Bola Tinubu in 2027 will succeed, if he decides to seek another term.
The former President, who was in Seoul, South Korea, receiving the 2025 Sunhak Peace Prize, told the News Agency of Nigeria on Monday that Tinubu would not face any serious challenge getting re-elected.
He was reacting to the recent announcement of an opposition coalition to challenge the All Progressives Congress in the next presidential election.
The post was also attached with an image which was a screenshot from Daily Post, a digital newspaper which also had the same headline and was published on April 15, 2025.
The post could also be seen here, here, and on TikTok here.

CLAIM

Goodluck Jonathan endorses Bola Tinubu for 2027 elections.

THE FINDINGS

Findings by The FactCheckHub shows that the claim is FALSE!

Appearance of the claim on Facebook; Insert MISLEADING verdict
Appearance of the claim on Facebook; Insert MISLEADING verdict

When we conducted a keyword search with the words “Daily Post Jonathan Tinubu Win 2027 election” findings showed that the Daily Post, the news outlet referenced in the viral image, did not publish any article making such a claim.

A thorough search of its official website on the said date returned no results supporting the alleged statement attributed to Jonathan.

Moreover, discrepancies in the image’s size and font observed by The FactCheckHub and compared to the Daily Post’s standard format suggest it was digitally altered or a manipulated headline

Additional findings confirmed that Goodluck Jonathan was indeed in South Korea last week, where he received the Sunhak Peace Prize at an official ceremony in Seoul.

Announcing the award on Friday, April 11 2025 via his X page, the former president described it as a recognition not just of his efforts, but also of the dedication of Nigerians and Africans who are committed to promoting peace and development.

This was widely reported by media outfits and no comments of him endorsing Tinubu was found in the reports or in the posts made on X.

The FactCheckHub conducted a keyword search using the terms “News Agency of Nigeria Jonathan Tinubu will win 2027 election” as referenced by the claimant in the post, but the results only led to more instances of the same viral content.

Additionally, the claim has been refuted by Goodluck Jonathan’s media aide. In a statement, the former president’s Special Adviser, Ikechukwu Eze, dismissed the online report as false.

READ: Video does not show Jonathan accused Sowore of working for Tinubu

“The attention of the Media Office of His Excellency Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2010-2015) has been drawn to a piece of false information with the above title, currently spreading on a segment of the social media. This is fake news fabricated by agents of disinformation. At no point did Dr. Jonathan speak to any journalist on the forthcoming 2027 elections,” the statement read.

THE VERDICT

The claim that Goodluck Jonathan endorsed Bola Tinubu for the 2027 elections is FALSE; the headline circulating online was doctored, and although the former president was in Seoul to receive an honorary award, he made no such statement.

Does swallowing semen offer health benefits to women?

Fatimah Quadri
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0
Does swallowing semen offer health benefits to women?

A claim suggesting that semen offers various health benefits has been making the rounds on TikTok.

In a video shared by the user @comicfreak, he referenced and reacted to another user’s video that promoted this claim.

In his video, @comicfreak argued that the woman’s claims were false and misleading, labelling them as misinformation. However, he did not provide any scientific evidence or health-based facts to debunk her assertions.

READ: Can ulcer be cured with honey, milk and citrus mixtures?

The FactCheckHub traced the original video, where the woman claimed that semen has multiple health benefits. The video was posted by another user on the app by @abidemitemi1

In the 51-second clip, a woman dressed in medical scrubs is seen posing while various keywords and text flashes intermittently across the screen.

The texts on the screen read:

Surprising benefits of swallowing sperm in females… Semen helps you get better sleep… Semen is a natural anti-depressant drug… improve memories and gives you energy… packed of multivitamin that give you best appetites… a natural pain reliever… prevents morning sickness and helps you glow… it helps post menopause health bone.

Since the inception of the the video on March 13, 2025 it has garnered an impression of over 60,000 likes, 83,300 reposts and 2,151 comments.

Given the sensitive nature of the claim, The FactCheckHub decided to verify the accuracy of the claim.

CLAIM

Swallowing semen offers several health benefits to women.

THE FINDINGS

Findings by The FactCheckHub shows that the claim is MISLEADING!

Screenshot of the appearance of the claim on TikTok; Insert MISLEADING verdict
Screenshot of the appearance of the claim on TikTok; Insert MISLEADING verdict

According to Healthline, a health and wellness information website notes that generally, the components found in semen are considered safe to ingest. However, in rare cases, some individuals may experience an allergic reaction to semen, a condition known as human seminal plasma hypersensitivity (HSP).

While semen is often thought to be high in protein, the amount is so minimal that one would need to consume large quantities—several gallons—to gain any meaningful nutritional benefit.

A report by Medical News notes that many of the nutritional claims surrounding semen are misleading. Given the small volume typically produced, it is highly unlikely that anyone would consume enough for it to offer any significant health benefits. Medical News also notes that there has been little research into the health benefits of swallowing semen.

Speaking with The FactCheckHub, Zuliah Abdulazeez, a medical officer that specialises in family and reproductive health at the University of Ilorin College of health sciences, highlights that there are no nutritional benefits for women as the body digests food ingested.

“No nutritional benefits as the body naturally digests its foods. There’s no harm if the partner is healthy and free from infections and infectious diseases,” Abdulazeez offered.

In addition to sperm, protein, and water, semen contains a range of other components, such as sugars (fructose and glucose), sodium citrate, zinc, chloride, calcium, lactic acid, magnesium, potassium, and urea.

Similarly to studies suggesting that semen may have natural antidepressant effects, some people believe it could also help relieve stress. This belief is linked to the presence of mood-enhancing hormones like oxytocin and progesterone, both of which are found in semen.

A notable 2002 study did suggest a potential link between semen exposure and improved mood, finding that women who had direct contact with semen reported fewer symptoms of depression. However, the study did not account for other possible factors influencing mood, such as the psychological effects of sexual activity itself.

READ: Claim that cure for hypertension has been found resurfaces online

Engaging in oral sex without using a barrier method of birth control can expose individuals to bacterial infections like gonorrhoea and chlamydia, which can affect the throat. Additionally, skin-to-skin contact during such activity can lead to the transmission of viral infections like herpes.

Since semen is a bodily fluid, it can also carry sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV.

THE VERDICT

The claim that swallowing semen offers several health benefits to women is MISLEADING; while semen contains trace nutrients and hormones, health experts and medical sources agree there is no significant nutritional benefit to swallowing it, and doing so may carry risks of allergic reactions or sexually transmitted infections.

Image does NOT show Lil Jon commissioning a school in Ghana

Abdullahi Muritala
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0
Image does NOT show Lil Jon commissioning a school in Ghana

A claim that an image shows American rapper, Jonathan Smith popularly called Lil Jon, commissioning a school he built in Ghana has circulated online.

The claim which was shared by an X user @African Hub who posted an image suggesting the person in the picture is Lil Jon.  The caption on the post thus read: “American Rapper, Lil Jon built two schools in Ghana.”

The post has sparked high engagement with veracity ranging from over 41,000 views, 1,400 likes and 112 comments as of 15 of April 2025.   

READ: FACT CHECK: Does Ghana have 200 cases of Coronavirus?

 CLAIM

Image show Lil Jon during a commissioning session of the two school he built in Ghana 

THE FINDINGS

Findings by The FactCheckHub shows that the claim is MISLEADING, the person in the picture is Ja rule not Lil Jon.

Photo: Jarule and wife during the commissioning ceremony in Ghana

On April 12 2024, American rapper Jeffrey Bruce Atkins Sr AKA Ja Rule, announced  support for education in Ghana by initiating the construction of a six-unit classroom block at Nuaso Anglican Primary School in the Eastern Region. This project was executed in partnership with the U.S.-based nonprofit organization ​Pencils of Promise, which focuses on increasing access to quality education for children worldwide.

A reverse image search conducted by The FactCheckHub reveals that the person in the image is not Lil Jon, but Ja Rule, another American rapper.​

Result here and here shows that the photo was taken during Ja Rule’s visit to Ghana in April 1, 2025, where he participated in the commissioning of a school project at Nuaso Anglican Primary School in the Eastern Region. The event was attended by over 500 community members, local dignitaries, and PoP leaders.

ALSO READ: Is Ghana national ID card admissible as e-passport in 44,000 airports globally?

On the other hand, Lil Jon has indeed funded school projects in Ghana specifically two schools in the Asuogyaman District. His commissioning ceremonies occurred earlier, in 2017 and 2018, and featured different photos. 

Photo: Image of Lil Jon retrieved online

​The image in question shows Ja Rule, not Lil Jon. Though both artists have been involved in building schools in Ghana, this particular photo does not relate to Lil Jon’s projects.​

VERDICT

The claim that the image shows Lil Jon commissioning a school project in Ghana is MISLEADING, findings by the FactCheckhub show that the image shows Jarule.

No, US did not slash tariffs on Chinese goods to 10%

Abdullahi Muritala
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0
No, US did not slash tariffs on Chinese goods to 10%

A viral claim that the United States has drastically reduced tariffs on Chinese goods including phones, computers, microchips, TVs, and solar panels from 145% to just 10% has circulated on X.

An X user, @sprinterobserve, shared the post on the X platform thus:

“Washington reduces tariffs on dozens of Chinese goods from 145% to just 10%, including: phones, computers, electronic chips, televisions, and even solar panels! This is just the beginning!”

READ THIS: Did China close its borders ‘to the whole world’ for 20 to 40 years?

The post had garnered over 3 million views with 46,000 likes, more than 2,500 comments, and 9,000 reposts as of April 16, 2025.

 

CLAIM

US slashes tariffs on several Chinese goods, dropping rates from 145% to just 10% for items like phones, computers, microchips, TVs, and solar panels.

 

THE FINDINGS

Checks by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is FALSE as credible media reports show that the U.S. has increased tariffs on Chinese imports but places electronic products on a new tariff called “semi-conductor tariff” which were pegged at only 20% tax while other Chinese imports into America still stands at 145%.

Screenshot of the post retrieved from X. INSERT: FALSE verdict.

Since returning to office for a second term as American president, Donald Trump has embraced an escalating tariff policy aimed at addressing what he calls “decades of unfair trade” practice. In April 2025, the White House announced sweeping tariff hikes, including an escalated 145% rate on most Chinese imports whereas China has retaliated with a 125% tariff on all American goods. These measures were introduced by the Trump-led U.S. presidency as part of a broader strategy over economic and national security concerns.

To verify the claim, our researcher subjected the keywords: “Chinese good tariffs on electronics” to a Google search. The results show that the U.S. president had addressed the controversial issue. In a report, Trump reacted strongly to media reports about tariff exemptions, stating that “no exceptions were announced”. He added that the technology products in question “are subject to the current 20% tariffs on fentanyl, and they are simply being moved to another tariff category”.

Also, in a social media post on his Truth Social, Trump accused the media of spreading “fake news” and stated that his team is investigating the entire supply chain of semiconductors and electronic products as part of future national security measures.

After dramatic back-and-forth tariff hikes between the US and China through last week, Washington appeared to bend last Friday.

A notice issued by US Customs and Border Protection on April 11, 2025 listed more than a dozen product categories that would be exempted from the wave of tariffs that Trump has imposed on China since April 2.

They included computers, laptops, disc drives and automatic data processing equipment, products that are largely not made in the US but in China. Smartphones, memory cards, semiconductor devices, solar cells, modems, routers and flat panel displays were also included on the exemptions list.

Last Friday’s notice specifically mentioned exemptions for these products from tariffs imposed on China on April 2, Aljazeera reported.

Further checks by our researcher show multiple media reports from Reuters and Associated Press, among others which revealed that the U.S. president has made a U-turn to review the hiked tariffs on goods imported from dozens of other countries which trades with the United States to what he called the “baseline tariff” to 10% only.

While some U.S. neighbours such as Canada and Mexico received temporary relief which reduced to 10% in tariff rate, China was not among them.

ALSO READ: Does solar tech contribute up to 20% of world’s power production?

Finally, this U.S. executive order titled: “Amendment to reciprocal tariffs and updated duties as applied to low values imports from the people’ republic of China” and dated April 8, 2025 also corroborated the hike in tariffs on Chinese goods, White House record shows.

 

THE VERDICT

The claim that the United States has reduced tariffs on Chinese goods from 145% to just 10% is FALSE; multiple media reports show that the U.S. has not reduced tariffs on Chinese imports from its last hiked rate of 145% but only moved electronic goods from China to a tariff called a “semi-conductor tariff” which currently stand at 20%.

Bwala’s claims about Ndume projects, bills passed are FALSE!

Fatimah Quadri
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0
Bwala’s claims about Ndume projects, bills passed are FALSE!

DANIEL Bwala, the Special Adviser on Policy Communication to the Nigerian president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has claimed that Senator Ali Ndume has not had any executed projects throughout his 22-year stay in the National Assembly.

He made the claim (15:39 – 17:01) during an interview on Channels TV’s programme, Sunday Politics on April 13, 2025 in response to earlier criticisms of the presidential media team by Ndume on the same programme on April 11, 2025.

Bwala also stated that despite spending 22 years in the Nigerian National Assembly as a lawmaker, Ndume has not completed a single project in Southern Borno, his constituency. He also accused the senator of neglecting over 120,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) from his constituency who are still refugees in Cameroon.

READ THIS: Daniel Bwala, other X users share old CBN press release as recent

Bwala went on to criticize Ndume’s legislative performance, claiming that 90 percent of his bills don’t make it past the second reading.

Part of the audio is transcribed below thus:

…120,000 of his people are in Cameroon as IDPs, during this period Ali Ndume has served as a minority a majority leader and also Senate chair committee on defense and army he has never done anything to bring his people back from Cameroon. The monies that have come to southern Borno in form of a project, there is no single project in the southern Borno. This is a senator who knows his primary assignment is lawmaking and oversight he has never had a bill passed, 90% of his bill they don’t even get to reach second reading they’ll be dismissed not to talk of bringing it for debate he goes about parading and saying that the bill that brought about the Northeast Development Commission he was one that sponsored and it’s a lie it is Senator Nyako…

The FactCheckHub decided to verify the accuracy of these claims as it had gained significant traction in the media space.

 

CLAIM 1

Ali Ndume has not executed any constituency project throughout his 22 years as a lawmaker.

THE FINDINGS

Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is FALSE!

In 2024, Leadership newspaper reported that Ndume initiated an educational support project designed to benefit students within his constituency. The initiative was aimed at providing assistance to a total of 1,100 students drawn from the nine local government areas that make up Borno South.

According to the report, the project was part of Ndume’s efforts to invest in human capital development and improve access to education for young people in the region, many of whom have been affected by years of conflict and displacement. The educational support was intended to ease the financial burden on families and encourage school enrollment and retention among students.

In a separate report by Blueprint in 2017, Ndume facilitated the drilling of two boreholes and donated two tractors to each of the nine local government areas within the Borno South Senatorial District. The initiative was part of his development efforts aimed at improving access to clean water and boosting agricultural productivity across his constituency.

In 2020, Ndume faced criticism from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) during its investigation into the implementation of constituency projects. The ICPC revealed that the North-East region was the most affected by non-execution of these projects, largely due to the Boko Haram insurgency, which hindered contractors from being mobilized to project sites.

In response, Ndume, speaking on behalf of his fellow lawmakers from the region, told ThisDay newspaper that the blame should lie with the ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) responsible for implementing the projects. He explained that while lawmakers only recommend the projects, it is the MDAs that handle the selection and supervision of contractors.

ALSO READ: Top 10 notable Nigerians caught spreading misinformation in 2024

Ndume dismissed allegations that lawmakers from the region misappropriated project funds, insisting that it is the MDAs and contractors who should be held accountable for any shortcomings in execution.

Another report by Mawa Foundation noted that Ndume was reported to have failed to account for the N22 million constituency project funds for his senatorial district in 2017.

According to the report, the senator had proposed to supply empowerment equipment to residents of his senatorial district as part of the initiative. However, findings by Tracka indicated that 70% of the funds allocated for the project had been released, but there was no clear explanation from the senator on how the money was utilized.

It was also reported that the project was intended to be implemented in several local government areas, some of which were inaccessible at the time due to insurgent occupation.

THE VERDICT

The claim that Ali Ndume has not executed any constituency project throughout his years as a lawmaker is FALSE; while the senator had come under scrutiny a number of times, reports show that he has executed some projects in his senatorial district.

 

CLAIM 2

Ali Ndume has never had any bill passed at the Senate.

THE FINDINGS

Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is FALSE!

Checks revealed a number of bills that have been sponsored by Ndume include the Peace Corps Establishment Bill, which has passed the second reading at the Nigerian Senate.

He also initiated the Electoral Act Amendment Bill that allowed internally displaced persons (IDPs) to vote in the 2015 general elections.

Similarly, the bill that established the North East Development Commission which Bwala claimed was sponsored by Senator Nyako was actually sponsored by Sen. Ndume at the Senate level and Yakubu Dogara at the House of Representatives level. It was passed into law and currently an Act.

DON’T MISS THIS: Fact-checking El-Rufai’s claims on Tinubu-led govt, APC

A further look at the bill progression chart of the 9th Senate uploaded by the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC) shows that of all the ten bills Ndume proposed, the Nigerian Peace Corps bill and the bill to establish a Federal College of Education (FCE) in Marama, Borno state passed its second reading, while the bill seeking to establish the Nigeria Army University, Biu passed its third reading at the Senate.

THE VERDICT

The claim that Ali Ndume has never had any bill passed in the Senate is FALSE; the lawmaker has bills that have passed second reading to his credit at the Senate and bills that have become Acts (law) such as the North East Development Commission Act, among others.

How to use Google Fact Check Explorer for crosschecking information

Abdullahi Muritala
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1
How to use Google Fact Check Explorer for crosschecking information

Google Fact Check Explorer is a simple tool that allows online users to verify information by providing fact-checked content from trusted sources especially credible media and fact-checking organisations.

With access to databases from many media and fact-checking organisations across the world, users can search for information to verify its accuracy or otherwise.

READ THIS: How to verify social media profiles, pages

The platform, designed by Google.com, aims to help journalists, researchers, and the public verify information by accessing fact-checks from credible organisations worldwide. It allows users to search for claims, topics, or keywords and see fact-checks published by credible sources, making it easier to combat misinformation. Another tool similar to this is Claim Buster, developed by a team of students from the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Texas at Arlington.

This Google tool is particularly useful for quickly assessing the credibility of viral information including images and video shared on social media and tracing the origins of such information.

The tool also allows you to easily browse and search for already published fact-checks. For example, you can search for a politician’s statement, celebrity’s public speech, government official statement or any topic of your choice. You can also limit the results to a specific publisher or medium.

ALSO READ: YouTube proposes new steps to tackle misinformation

Follow the steps below to learn how to use Google Fact Check Explorer to access verified reports from trusted sources freely.

Step 1: Access the Tool

  • Use the Google search engine to access the tool by typing the keywords “Google Fact Check Explorer” in your search bar and clicking search.
  • You can also access the tool by clicking here: Google Fact Check Explorer.

Step 2: Search for any Topic, Information or Image

  • In the Search bar on the displayed web page, type keywords from the information you’re seeking its accuracy or any topic you want to verify. For example, if you want to check a claim about climate change, simply enter relevant keywords like “climate change” in the search bar or the specific topic you want verified.
Keywords can be anything from specific topics to full quotes.
Keywords can be anything from specific topics to full quotes.
  • You can search by keywords and see a list of matching information and the corresponding fact-checks. Similarly, you may search for fact checks related to an image, either by specifying an image URL or by uploading the image.
  • The search results will show articles and claims that have been fact-checked by various reputable organisations such as FactCheckHub, PolitiFact, FactCheck.org, and AFP Fact Check among others.

DON’T MISS THIS: Advanced search tips made easy

Step 3: Review Fact-Check Results

  • Following the search, you’ll see a list of articles with fact-checks, including the claim, the source, and the ratings or verdicts (True, False, etc.).
  • Click on any link among the displayed results to read the full fact-check and see the evidence supporting its rating.

Step 4: Cross-Check with other Sources

  • You can also read related articles or use similar fact-checking tools like Claim Buster to check further or submit the information or claim on the FactCheckHub mobile app if the information or claim is yet to be verified.

Step 5: Stay Updated

  • You can set up Google Alerts or follow multiple credible media and fact-checking organisations via their social media platforms such as Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube or WhatsApp channel to stay informed or get notification of newly verified information or claims. You may also send us any information to help you verify via our WhatsApp number by clicking here.

In conclusion, the Google Fact Check Explorer is a quick and reliable way to verify any information and ensure that the information you’re consuming is accurate and from credible sources. You may also learn more about how the tool works here.

Does any law empower Nigerian president to suspend state governor?

Abdullahi Muritala
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0
Does any law empower Nigerian president to suspend state governor?

BASHIR Ahmad, a former media aide to ex-Nigerian president, Muhammadu Buhari, has claimed that the Nigerian Senate passed the Emergency Powers (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill 2018 into law in February 2018.

He claimed on the X platform that the passed bill grants the Nigerian president the authority to suspend an elected State Governor or Local Government Chairman during an emergency period.

His post read thus:

”In February 2018, the Nigerian Senate passed the Emergency Powers (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill 2018. The Act says, “The President may, with the approval of the National Assembly, suspend a State Governor or the Local Government Chairman in an emergency area during an emergency period.”

READ THIS: What does a State of Emergency entail in Nigeria? (EXPLAINER)

The claim has garnered over 400,000 views, with more than 500 reposts and comments plus over 1,700 likes as of April 13, 2025.

 

CLAIM

Emergency Power Act 2018 grants the Nigerian president the power to suspend state governor or council chairman.

 

THE FINDINGS

Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is FALSE, as the bill was only passed in the Nigerian Senate and has not been signed into law by the nation’s president.

Screenshot of the post retrieved from X. INSERT: FALSE verdict.

Recall that on March 18, 2025, the Nigerian president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, declared a state of emergency in Rivers State. In his nationwide broadcast that day, he also suspended the state governor, Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy and the state lawmakers. This sparked a constitutional debate, as politicians, legal experts and citizens wade in.

Note that Section 305 of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution allows the President to declare a state of emergency under specific circumstances, such as threats to public order, public safety. However, the Constitution does not explicitly grant the President the authority to suspend elected state officials, including governors and state lawmakers, during such declarations.

But Ahmad claimed that the Emergency Act (repeal and re-enactment) Bill 2018 gives the president the power to remove a governor or local government chairman with the approval of the National Assembly.

ALSO READ: Can a Nigerian-trained lawyer practice outside the country?

A check through the Nigerian Senate’s records and official legislative reports from 2018 revealed that after the Emergency Powers (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill 2018, sponsored by Senator David Umaru (Niger East), was introduced for consideration, it was subsequently passed into law by the Senate after the third reading.

However, the bill was not signed into law by any Nigerian president, even though it sought to repeal and replace the existing Emergency Powers Act of 1961. The bill outlined the scope of presidential powers during national emergencies. Though it also grants the Nigerian president the authority to suspend a State Governor or Local Government Chairman, it was never assented to by the then president, Muhammadu Buhari.

Further examination of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution (as amended) shows that only the National Assembly has the power to remove an elected governor, and this can only be done through an impeachment process as outlined in Sections 188 and 189 of the constitution. Thus, the claim that the President can unilaterally suspend elected officials contradicts constitutional provisions.

Femi Falana (SAN).
FILE PHOTO: Femi Falana (SAN).

“In the 320 sections of the Nigerian Constitution, nowhere is the president empowered to remove the governor of a state or suspend the governor of a state, suspend the deputy governor of a state, suspend the legislators in a state,” Femi Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) said in an interview with Channels TV recently.

At an inaugural lecture event in 2008, Professor Itse Sagay, a professor of law and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, said: “The whole tenor of section 11 of the Constitution (which is the section containing all the powers exercisable during an emergency shows that an emergency declaration is intended to be a cooperative endeavor between the federal government and state government, whose organs, governors, House of Assembly and judiciary are fully functioning.”

Professor Itse Sagay.
FILE PHOTO: Professor Itse Sagay.

This was also corroborated in a legal research work by an Edo-based lawyer, Bright E. Oniya. Similarly, an article published in a Beijing Law Review journal in December 2019, notes that: “The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights 1966 in Article 4 empowers state parties to declare state of emergency subject to certain rules which do not include dissolution of democratic structures in a country.”

DON’T MISS THIS: No, State of Emergency was declared in Borno, Yobe

In addition, The FactCheckHub spoke to Muhammed Adam, a Nigerian human rights lawyer fondly called “foundational Nupe lawyer” on X (formerly Twitter). He confirmed that the bill was never assented to by any Nigerian president, adding that it was only a bill.

“There is no such law in existence, it is just a bill,” Adam said.

 

THE VERDICT

The claim that the Emergency Power Act 2018 grants the Nigerian president the power to suspend state governor or council chairman is FALSE; there is no such law currently, as the bill was never signed into law by any Nigerian president. Also, the president lacks power to suspend any elected state or local council official, according to the amended 1999 Nigerian Constitution.

From economic protests to coup agitation: How Nigeria’s hunger march took a radical turn

FactCheckHub
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From economic protests to coup agitation: How Nigeria’s hunger march took a radical turn

A protest intended to express public dissatisfaction with the way the Nigerian government was managing the country’s economy turned into a march that featured calls for a coup d’état and the flying of Russian flags.

Continue

Has court sentenced Hamdiyya Sidi, who criticised Sokoto governor?

Nurudeen Akewushola
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0
Has court sentenced Hamdiyya Sidi, who criticised Sokoto governor?

A claim that a Sokoto magistrate court has sentenced 18-year-old activist, Hamdiyya Sidi, to 12 strokes of the cane or a two-year prison term, or to pay a fine of N50,000 has surfaced online.

The claim has been widely circulated on X (formerly Twitter), blogs, and Facebook posts. 

READ THIS: Doctored image of Sultan of Sokoto wearing charm garment circulates online

For instance, a Facebook account, Africom posted the claim with a caption that read: 

“Breaking: The court has sentenced Hamdiyya Sidi to 12 strokes of the cane, or 2 years imprisonment, or a fine of fifty thousand Naira (₦50,000)…
Hamdiyya Sidi, was charged by the Sokoto State government with “use of insulting or abusive language” and “inciting disturbance” after she criticized Governor Ahmed Aliyu in a
TikTok video.
Barrister Abba Hikima was there for her since from day 1, May Allah bless him.”
The post has garnered traction online.
Also, an X user, @Hashafcee1 also posted the claim on April 10, 2025 and it has generated more than 65,000 views alongside over 900 reposts and over 700 likes as of April 11, 2025. The claim was also shared here by another Facebook user.

CLAIM

A Sokoto magistrate court has sentenced Hamdiyya Sidi to 12 strokes of the cane, or two years in prison, or to pay a N50,000 fine.

 

THE FINDINGS 

Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is FALSE.

In November 2024, Hamdiyya Sidi published a video criticising Sokoto State governor, Ahmed Aliyu, over insecurity and the plight of displaced persons in the state. She also called on internally displaced people to occupy the governor’s office in protest.

Following her remarks, the Sokoto State Police Command arrested her and accused her of making inciting statements and using abusive language. After her release on bail, she reportedly suffered physical attacks, including abduction and assault, which left her with serious injuries.

She later issued a public apology and retracted her statement urging IDPs to occupy government property.

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

In February 2025, Sidi was arraigned before a Sokoto magistrate court. Prosecutors accused her of circulating content capable of causing public unrest. 

The last update on the case showed that it was been adjourned to March 13 and 14, but no public record has confirmed any ruling or judgement as of the time of this report.

The FactCheckHub also found a video released by Sidi and her lawyer, Abba Hikima where they debunked the viral story. 

In the video, which was posted on Facebook in Hausa language by her lawyer, Sidi said:

 “No ruling has been made. We are still continuing with the Sharia proceedings as we have always done from the beginning… Today’s session was when we started presenting witnesses under my lawyer’s guidance. So, there’s no judgement. To those spreading these false stories, I urge you to fear Allah and stop spreading things that are not true.”

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News Central TV also reported on April 10, 2025 that Abba Hikima, the lead counsel for Hamdiyya Sidi Shareef — the young woman arrested over a critical TikTok video targeting Sokoto State Governor Ahmed Aliyu — has dismissed circulating social media claims suggesting that his client has been sentenced.

Our fact-checker observed that there were no credible media reports or court documents confirming that Sidi has been sentenced. Neither has the Sokoto judiciary nor relevant authorities released any statement indicating that a ruling has been delivered in her case.

 

THE VERDICT 

The claim that a Sokoto magistrate court sentenced Hamdiyya Sidi to 12 strokes of the cane, or two years in prison, or a N50,000 fine is FALSE; findings show that no such ruling has been made on her case, which is still ongoing in court as of the time of filing this fact-check.

Is slavery the punishment for theft in Dubai?

Nurudeen Akewushola
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Is slavery the punishment for theft in Dubai?

A claim that the penalty for stealing in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, is slavery has been circulated online.

An X user, @BluebriarArts, made the post with a caption that read:

“They don’t like to tell you that if you get caught stealing something with even 1% of the value of that in Dubai, you will literally be enslaved for the rest of your entire life, and if you’re a woman you’ll get sold off to a polygamist millionare and your kids will be slaves too.”

The post was in response to a video content shared by another X user, @idanpapii, showing a woman who left a piece of jewelry at various places allegedly to depict Dubai as a safe place.

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The video has garnered over 11 million views while the comment has generated over 13,000 reposts alongside more than 260,000 likes and over 16,000 bookmarks as of April 10, 2025.

 

CLAIM 

The penalty for stealing in Dubai is slavery.

 

THE FINDINGS

Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is FALSE.

The United Arab Emirates’ punishment for theft is governed by a combination of Sharia law and the UAE Penal Code. The UAE has clear and firm punishments for anyone found guilty of theft. This approach is not just about deterrence but also about maintaining the country’s security and trust.

Theft is considered a serious crime in the UAE, typically regulated under Federal Decree-Law No. 31 of 2021 (UAE Penal Code). According to Federal Law No. 3 of 1987, theft is legally defined in the country as the act of unlawfully taking possession of another person’s property with the intent to deprive them permanently of it.

Screenshot pf the viral X post. INSERT: FALSE verdict.

This can include tangible assets like money, jewelry, or electronics, as well as intangible assets like intellectual property.  This includes movable properties with tangible value, and the key elements to establish this offense are the “mens rea” (intention) and “actus reus” (action) of the perpetrator.

The FactCheckHub reviewed the country’s law published by various law firms and experts, and we cannot find anywhere slavery is listed as a penalty for stealing.

According to an explainer by lawyers in Dubai, perpetrators of theft, if found guilty of theft in Dubai, will face imprisonment ranging from 6 months to 3 years, along with potential fines. 

In addition, attempted theft carries legal consequences, with imprisonment durations ranging from 3 months to 18 months or monetary penalties.

Meanwhile, perpetrators of aggravated theft which involves aggravating factors such as the use of weapons, theft committed at night, theft by multiple individuals, or theft involving coercion could face harsher penalties, including potential life imprisonment.

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In the UAE, theft is categorized into various types, each carrying specific legal consequences based on the severity and circumstances. Petty theft involving low-value items under AED 1,000 can result in fines up to AED 5,000, short-term imprisonment up to six months, and possible deportation for non-citizens.

Theft by a servant is treated more seriously due to the breach of trust involved, leading to penalties of up to AED 10,000 in fines, imprisonment of up to five years, and potential deportation. Aggravated theft, which includes factors like violence or group involvement, attracts harsher punishments of up to ten years in prison and fines reaching AED 50,000.

 

THE VERDICT 

The claim that the penalty for stealing in Dubai is slavery is FALSE. Theft is punished under UAE law with fines, imprisonment, or deportation—not slavery. There is no legal basis for the claim, and slavery is illegal in the UAE.

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