By Pascal Ibe
@Possible001, an X user and supporter’ of ex governor Nyesom Wile of Rivers State, on Tuesday claimed that the Economy And Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) recently declared the current Rivers State governor, Siminayi Fubara wanted over N435 billion fraud.
This is coming after the political feud between governor Fubara and Wike escalated few weeks ago.
The claim by @Possible001 on X gained over 500k views as at Wednesday evening.
This latest claim also circulated in many WhatsApp groups on Wednesday.
Why Is This Claim Circulating At The Moment?
Supporters of ex governor Nyesom Wile of Rivers State may have dished out this claim after governor Fubara vowed to probe the past administration of Wike.
Governor Fubara on Tuesday also stated that Rivers State in currently in huge debt as a result of alleged outrageous spending by Wike’s administration.
Verification
Verifying this claim that EFCC declared Fubara wanted recently, crimefacts.news did a simple Google image reverse search to found out that the governor Fubara was first declared wanted on September 12, 2018.
On official EFCC Facebook page, governor Fubara then Accountant General of Rivers State was declared wanted alongside three other Rivers government officials by the anti graft agency.
On the same date, a Facebook user named David Bamidele posted, “WANTED:
The EFCC had declared four (4) Rivers State Gov’t officials wanted over alleged misappropriation of N117bn public funds.
“If you have useful information about their whereabouts contact #EFCCNearYou or the nearest Police station.
“See image for details.
Credit: @officialEFCC
A report by Foundation For Investigative Journalism (FIJ) confirmed that Siminayi Fubara was first declared wanted by EFCC in 2018.
Another One in 2022
On May 24 ,2022, Punch newspaper reported that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission declared the Rivers State Accountant-General, Fubara Siminayi, and 58 others wanted for N435 billion fraud.
Siminayi, and four other Rivers State government officials, among others, are wanted for suspected N117 billion fraud, alleged criminal conspiracy, money laundering, misappropriation of public funds, and abuse of office. The EFCC stated in a statement sighted by The PUNCH.
Verdict
The claim by an X user @Possible001 which has circulated in many WhatsApp groups, that the EFCC declared governor Fubara wanted recently is Misleading.
Fubara was first declared wanted in 2018 over misappropriation of N117bn public funds.
Also in 2022, the EFCC declared wanted Fubara and Four others wanted over N435 billion fraud.
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