Fact-check: Has an IT student been arrested for clearing debt for MTN Nigeria users?

/in , ,

Jeffery Okafor, a Nigerian arrested for the suspected murder of a student in London in 2014, is the person in the photo.

Writer: Nancy Ceasar

A Facebook post published with a picture of a man being arrested by a female and male police officer purporting to show an “IT student who allegedly cleared all MTN users debt has reportedly been arrested,” is a hoax.

The post by Aba Times News, a Nigerian-based news portal, attracted over 70 comments, 200 interactions, and 17 shares at publication. 

The claim is not true, and 211 Check checked it: 

A screenshot of the Facebook post

Also, other sources shared the same picture with the headline, “The IT student who allegedly cleared all MTN users’ debt has reportedly been arrested.”

A screenshot of the picture from a page named Dimples.

Claim Verification:

211 Check carried out a Google Search using  Google Lens on the image and returned several results, which were shared in 2014. Looking at Google Lens search, it shows a case of a murder.

The story was shared on the X/Twitter handle of the Nigerian Police on 5th November 2014.

Media reports indicate that Nigerian police arrested Okafor in September 2014 in Asaba, capital of Delta State, five years after fleeing London and possible prosecution for the 1 August 2009 alleged murder.

A screenshot of the picture on X/Twitter Handle of the Nigerian Police.

Similarly, Information Nigeria shared the same picture on 5 November 2014 on their website, with a headline, “Nigerian police set to extradite UK murder suspect Jeffrey Okafor.”

 A screenshot of the picture as published by Information Nigeria.

On 11 November 2023, MTN Nigeria acknowledged experiencing a system error, resulting in a section of customers receiving error messages indicating their balances had been cleared.

Through a notice on X (formerly Twitter), the company clarified that the incident was a system glitch affecting balance inquiries. They assured customers that all balances would reflect accurate figures once the issue was resolved.

https://x.com/MTNNG/status/1723331652196155474?s=20

Conclusion:

211 Check finds the claim that an IT student was allegedly arrested for clearing the debts of MTN Nigeria users is a hoax. The picture was for a UK suspect who was arrested for a murder case in 2014 in Nigeria.

A publication under 211 Check’s ‘Fact-check for a pay’ Initiative with Support from the International Fact-checking Network through the BUILD grant.

To ensure accuracy and transparency, we at 211 Check welcome corrections from our readers. If you spot an error in this article, please request a correction using this form. Our team will review your request and make the necessary corrections immediately, if any.

It’s vital to fight misinformation and disinformation in the media by avoiding fake news. Don’t share content you’re uncertain about. False information can harm and mislead people, risking their lives—Fact-check before sharing. For more details, visit https://211check.org/ or message us on WhatsApp at +211 917 298 255. #FactsMatter.

Fact-check: An American Chamber of Commerce doesn’t exist in South Sudan

/in , ,

There is no American Chamber of Commerce in South Sudan.  The Facebook page that claims to offer grants to entrepreneurs and SMEs is illegitimate, trying to get people’s details for selfish use.

Writer: Nancy Ceasar

A Facebook page, “American Chamber of Commerce – South Sudan”, running a sponsored post claiming to offer grants to entrepreneurs and SMEs in South Sudan is a hoax.

The page was created on November 6, 2023, and had 179 likes and 194 followers by the time this article was written. It uses a cover photo of a logo with the symbol of an American flag and a South Sudan flag. 

The page has some other posts, and this particular one, published on November 9, 2023, has an image used by the UNPD South Sudan page. The page in its advertisement offers a link through which it advises people to apply. The link leads to a Google Form.

“We are excited to announce that applications are open following approval and signing of grants by the World Bank and the United Nations Development Programme..,” the post reads partly.”.

Screenshot of the sponsored post on Facebook

Claim Verification:

Given the information on the page and the too-easy-to-believe processes of getting the grants, 211 Check investigated the claim.

A Microsoft Bing Search of  Keywords for “American Chamber of Commerce-South Sudan” did not return relevant results or reports for a legitimate entity of that kind. 

However, the U.S. Department of Commerce issued a business advisory for South Sudan in August 2023, highlighting the growing reputational and financial risks to American businesses and individuals conducting business with companies that have significant ties to South Sudan’s extended transitional government or are controlled by family members of government officials

Search results also returned the South Sudan National Chambers of Commerce, Industry, and Agriculture.  The South Sudan National Chamber of Commerce, Industry, and Agriculture is an umbrella body representing and advocating for the private sector in the Republic of South Sudan.

Its  Facebook page was created on August 13, 2013, and it has 2.3k likes and 2.5k followers. The American Chambers of Commerce South Sudan Page was created on November 6, 2023.

And there are no American chambers of commerce -in South Sudan; rather, there are chambers of commerce in South Sudan.

A screenshot of the Facebook page of the South Sudan National Chambers of Commerce, Industry, and Agriculture

What is an American Chamber of Commerce?

The American Chamber of Commerce is a global business organisation representing small businesses, chambers of commerce, startups, and global corporations. For example, in Egypt, it works towards creating government policies that help businesses run and grow, eliminate bureaucratic barriers, and strengthen America’s economy and global leadership.

Conclusion:

211 Check found the Facebook page soliciting applications for grants to promote trade supporting SMEs and individual businesses is a hoax.

The page recently ran a sponsored post created to solicit applications from unsuspecting Facebook users.

A publication under 211 Check’s ‘Fact-check for a pay’ Initiative with Support from the International Fact-checking Network through the BUILD grant.

To ensure accuracy and transparency, we at 211 Check welcome corrections from our readers. If you spot an error in this article, please request a correction using this form. Our team will review your request and make the necessary corrections immediately, if any.


It’s vital to fight misinformation and disinformation in the media by avoiding fake news. Don’t share content you’re uncertain about. False information can harm and mislead people, risking their lives—Fact-check before sharing. For more details, visit https://211check.org/ or message us on WhatsApp at +211 917 298 255. #FactsMatter.