FACT-CHECK: Did Senator Saliu Mustapha of Kwara Endorse a Ponzi Scheme in Live TV Interview?
Claim: A viral video shared by a blog page, The News, alleges that Senator Saliu Mustapha representing Kwara central, endorsed a government-backed financial investment platform during a live television interview.
Also, the video claims that:
”The government investment platform guarantees an income of ₦1,580,000 per week! Invest ₦395,000 today and receive your first payment in your bank account.”
The caption accompanying the video ads:
“After so much time, he finally revealed the truth to us! An event for the whole country.”
The video has since sparked intense debate across social media, with many Nigerians expressing concerns over the senator’s supposed involvement in promoting a get-rich-quick scheme.
Verification: PRNigeria’s fact-check team launched an investigation to verify the authenticity of the video and the claim it carries.
A keyword and metadata analysis revealed that the video started trending on social media on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, and has since gone viral on platforms like Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and WhatsApp.
Despite the video showing Senator Mustapha in what appears to be an interview on Arise TV, PRNigeria’s forensic review uncovered that the broadcast frame and caption in the video bear a fake BBC Breaking News overlay, a tactic often used to lend credibility to fraudulent content.
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Further analysis using AI detection tools confirmed that the video was AI-generated. There were clear signs of digital manipulation, including unnatural facial expressions, mismatched lip movements, and audio inconsistencies, indicating the use of deepfake technology.
To further authenticate the video, PRNigeria reached out to the Suleiman Aledeh, who was identified as the interviewer. Aledeh, a former Arise TV journalist and now Managing Director of Edo Broadcasting Service clarified that the last time he interviewed Senator Mustapha was in 2023, and at no point was any investment platform mentioned or discussed. He also disassociated himself from the circulating video. Although the video is no longer playing because it was streamed live on YouTube.
In addition, Nasif Sholagberu, Media Assistant to Senator Mustapha, issued a formal disclaimer:
“We wish to categorically state that the said video is fabricated and was generated using artificial intelligence (AI) technology. Senator Saliu Mustapha has not endorsed, supported or promoted any financial platform. Any such claims should be regarded as false and misleading.”
Conclusion: PRNigeria’s fact-check findings reveal that the viral video is a digitally altered fabrication using AI-generation technique and false branding to mislead viewers. Neither Senator Mustapha nor Suleiman Aledeh is involved in endorsing the purported investment scheme.
Verdict: PRNigeria concludes that the claim that Senator Salim Mustapha of Kwara endorsed a Ponzi Scheme is False.
By PRNigeria
