FACT CHECK: Did Godwin Emefiele reveal Buhari ordered him to spend N500bn every month?

An unconfirmed report on social media and blogs in Nigeria claims that the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele revealed that he has been releasing N500 billion every month to the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Sadiya Umar, on the instructions of former President Muhammadu Buhari, to fight poverty.

Checks show that the report was first posted on Twitter by Mahdi Shehu, a self-acclaimed socio-political commentator.

The report, which has now gone viral on social media, left many Nigerians calling out Buhari for alleged corruption.

Further checks show that it’s not feasible for the federal government to spend such an outrageous amount in the country on a monthly basis without a serious ripple effect.

Also, it is noteworthy that the Federation Account Allocation Committee normally shares a little above the sum of N500 billion as the Federation Account Revenue to the Federal, State, and Local Governments.

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Also, it is noteworthy that the Federation Account Allocation Committee normally shares a little above the sum of N500 billion as the Federation Account Revenue to the Federal, State, and Local Governments.

Also, no credible media has confirmed the said report, neither has the DSS which arrested Mr Emefiele release any transcript of the CBN governor’s interrogation.

Hence, it is safe to say that the report is false.

Recall that Emefiele was taken into custody by Nigeria’s secret police hours after President Bola Tinubu suspended him from office.

“The Department of State Services (DSS) hereby confirms that Mr Godwin Emefiele, the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), is now in its custody for some investigative reasons,” Peter Afunanya, the spokesperson for the agency, said in a press statement.

Mr Afunanya did not provide details of when and how Mr Emefiele was arrested and where he is being kept.

However, PREMIUM TIMES learnt the banker was picked up from his home in Lagos and then flown to Abuja guarded by a detachment of operatives. He was then driven to the SSS’ headquarters in the Asokoro District of the nation’s capital when sources said he was being quizzed.