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For the latest edition of DUBAWA’s weekly round-up, we investigated assertions and claims on varying issues from security to economy and governance.
Below are some of the top claims fact-checked by DUBAWA this week:
- Was the new INEC chairperson, Amupitan Tinubu’s lawyer?
Following Mahmood Yakubu’s resignation as head of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Amupitan was appointed as the new chairperson of the commission.
Given this appointment, some X users claimed that Amupitan had previously served as President Tinubu’s lawyer.
DUBAWA Scoured through media reports for legal representation of President Tinubu but found no evidence to validate the X user’s claim. Instead, findings revealed that Amupitan previously served as legal counsel to Senator Dino Melaye, a political ally of Tinubu.
Read more here.
- Zamfara Governor sent 500 Askarawa men to fight bandits
As insecurity continues to intensify in the country, many states have opted for the use of local vigilantes to abate attacks by bandits.
In view of this, a Facebook user claimed in a video that the Zamfara State governor has recruited over 500 vigilantes to fight banditry independently in the State.
Investigating the claim, DUBAWA found that the Askarawa, established in 2024, were created to assist the military and police, not to carry out independent attacks as claimed.
Read further here.
- China warns citizens against building companies in Lagos State
After the demolition of some buildings at the Trade Fair Complex in the Ojo Local Government Area of Lagos State, many Nigerians decried the situation and criticised the government’s actions.
A Facebook post emerged claiming that China has warned its citizens against building companies and investing in Lagos State.
However, DUBAWA verified and found no credible national or international outlets reporting such an announcement or statement.
Read more here.
- Is the National Youth Empowerment Fund offering cash grants to Nigerians?
Recently, a message circulated on WhatsApp, claiming that the Federal government, through a National Youth Empowerment Fund 2025 initiative, is giving grants between ₦150,000 – ₦550,000 to every citizen between the ages of 13–65.
The message was accompanied by a link, where interested Nigerians can register to be eligible for the grant.
Upon verification, DUBAWA noticed that while the link exhibits potent features of a phishing site, there was no evidence that the National Youth Empowerment Fund exists as a government programme.
Read more here.
- Did Wike boycott the Council of State meeting as claimed?
During the decision-making process of determining the new Chairperson for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), a report by SaharaReporters claimed that the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) minister, Nyesom Wike, boycotted the Council of State meeting in protest.
However, DUBAWA found no credible outlet reporting such a development.
Read more here.
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