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Claim: A picture purported to be Governor Yahaya Bello dressed in female clothing is circulating on WhatsApp. Users of the platform allege that the disguise is an attempt to evade EFCC’s arrest.
Verdict: MISLEADING. Findings reveal that the image of Governor Yahaya Bello dressed in female clothing is manipulated. The original image was that of Jane Nnamani, the late wife of former senate president Ken Nnamani.
Full Text
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has charged the former governor of Kogi state with financial fraud amounting to N84 billion. The EFCC accused Yahaya Bello of diverting N80 billion of state funds in September 2015, four months before he assumed office in January 2016.
The EFCC also had sued Mr Bello before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, for alleged money laundering.
On April 17, 2024, the Crimes Commission traced Mr Bello to his Wuse residence in Abuja to arrest him. However, Yahaya Bello evaded the arrest with the support of the incumbent governor of Kogi State, Usman Ododo.
Subsequently, on April 18, 2024, the EFCC declared former Governor Yahaya Bello wanted.
On Tuesday, April 23rd, 2024, the Commission also urged the Federal High Court Abuja and parties to help determine the whereabouts of Mr Bello.
Ever since he was declared wanted, manipulated images have circulated on WhatsApp groups alleging that Mr Bello was dressed in female clothing in an attempt to flee the country and evade arrest.
Image Source: Screenshot of the WhatsApp post
The virality of the post on WhatsApp group and statues on April 24, 2024, made DUBAWA verify it.
Verification
We conducted a Google Reverse Image Search on the viral image. We discovered that the original photo was that of Jane Nnamani, the late wife of the former senate president, Ken Nnamani, posted online on May 7, 2023, by an online blog Nigerianewsleader.
Image Source: NigeriaNewsleader
We also found the same image in the story published by Qed. ng over the death of Ms Nnamani in May 2023. According to the online blog publication, the image was used to announce the official burial of Ken Nnamani’s wife.
Conclusion
Our findings show that the image purportedly used to depict Mr Bello dressed in female attire is a manipulated photo of the late Ms Nnamani. The picture circulating on WhatsApp is, therefore, misleading.
The researcher produced this fact-check for the DUBAWA 2024 Kwame KariKari Fellowship, in partnership with Olufisoye Adenitan, FRCN positive fm Akure Ondo state Nigeria, to facilitate the ethos of “truth” in journalism and enhance media literacy in the country.
