IN SHORT: Nyesom Wike is in the throes of a political crisis, but there is no proof that anti-graft authorities have arrested him for alleged fraud linked to the Rivers state treasury.
A feud between the suspended governor of Rivers state, Siminalayi Fubara, and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, has sparked a political crisis that led to president Bola Tinubu declaring a six-month state of emergency.
Wike is now minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
In this context, several Facebook posts claim that Wike has been arrested over a N100 billion (US$62 million) fraud allegedly traced to his account from the Rivers state treasury.
One of the Facebook posts, dated 10 April 2025, reads: “Breaking News EFCC and DSS arrest Nysome wike over 100 billion Naira that was traced to his account from the River states treasury 3 days after Governor SIM Fubara was suspended.”
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) tackles economic and financial crimes in Nigeria.
The Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria’s secret police, is responsible for overseeing the country’s internal security.
The same claim appears here, here and here on Facebook. (Note: See more instances listed at the end of this report.)
But was Wike arrested by these agencies in a fraud case involving N100 billion? We checked.
No evidence for the claim
Given Wike’s position and the wide coverage of the Rivers state crisis, it’s unlikely his arrest would go unreported. We found no such reports from credible local news outlets.
Wike recently visited a road construction site in Abuja, the country’s capital, as the FCT minister to inspect the progress of work by contractors. The media covered the visit, and photos were shared on his official X handle on 15 April. He has since made more posts on 18 and 20 April.
There is no evidence that the EFCC or DSS has arrested Wike. The claim is false.
Similar posts can be found here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here and here.
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