News
Is Famous Musician Ebenezer Obey Dead?
On Easter Monday evening, social media lit up with somber news: Evangelist Ebenezer Obey-Fabiyi is dead.
The tributes came swiftly. Condolences poured in.
But… was it true?
The rumour started on Nairaland, one of Nigeria’s most active online forums. A user identified as stabilizer posted:
“He died few mins ago… Details to be made public very soon. May his soul rest in perfect peace.”
Within minutes, the story spread like wildfire — across X (formerly Twitter), WhatsApp groups, and Facebook pages. A beloved national icon, gone?
Except… he wasn’t.
No reputable news outlet carried the report. Not a single verified platform confirmed it. And by dawn on Tuesday, the man himself had responded — personally.
In a one-minute Instagram video posted on April 22, Evangelist Ebenezer Obey looked straight at the camera and said:
“I AM ALIVE!!!!!”
Then he did what he’s done best for over six decades — he sang.
🎶 “It is fake news… Satan, you don lose o… Na lie lie you dey talk…” 🎶
The video was clear, candid, and unmistakably real.
His personal assistant, Mr. Tope Olukole, also told TVC News that the rumour was false and that the 82-year-old icon was alive and well.
Leading dailies such as Punch confirmed the story under the headline:
“I’m Alive – Ebenezer Obey Debunks Death Rumour.”
This isn’t the first time the legendary Juju maestro has been the subject of a death hoax. As one of Nigeria’s most revered musical elders, he’s long been a target of false reports — often triggered by his visible aging or prolonged absence from public events.
Conclusion
The viral claim that Ebenezer Obey is dead is FALSE.
The man is very much alive — and still singing.
A troubling image circulating online shows American YouTube star IShowSpeed wearing a Nigerian jersey. His face appears bruised. The caption is alarming. It claims he was attacked by road gang members in Nigeria while livestreaming along Ikoyi Road, Lagos.
It suggests that visiting Nigeria was unsafe. It paints a picture of chaos.
The post originates from an X account, @iamMrMarfo1. From there, it spreads.
But what really happened?
First, let’s examine the context.
IShowSpeed, whose real name is Darren Jason Watkins Jr., was recently in Lagos. He celebrated his 21st birthday. He surpassed 50 million YouTube subscribers. On December 29, 2025, he launched a 20 country African tour in 28 days. On January 21, he livestreamed from Balogun Market in Lagos Island. Crowds gathered. Security escorted him. The scene was intense but public.
Soon after, posts claimed he had been attacked.
The circulating images appeared to show facial injuries.
WHAT WE CHECKED
We examined the footage. According to reporting by Agence France Presse, the images were doctored. AFP traced the visuals back to specific timestamps in the original livestream. Moments at approximately 4:21:32 and 4:21:36 were manipulated to create the bruised effect.
AFP journalists who were physically present in Lagos during his visit reported that they did not witness any attack. They also heard nothing to suggest that an assault occurred. The altered images did not only appear in English. They spread in French, Arabic, Spanish, Hausa, and Zulu.
WHAT WE FOUND
It is important to note that IShowSpeed has faced disruptions during other international visits.
In Algeria, he was struck by thrown water bottles during a football match. In Norway in 2024, he experienced an incident outside a shop.
But those are separate events.
There is no credible evidence that he was attacked in Nigeria. No verified report. No confirmed injury. No authenticated footage. The viral image was manipulated.
Verdict: False.
When dramatic images circulate, especially those that inflame fear or damage reputations, verify before sharing.
Screenshots can be altered.
Livestreams can be edited.
Context matters.
This claim does not hold.
We fact-checked the viral claim that Ikeja Electric was named “Worst Company of the Year 2025” and that its executives received “Worst Business People” awards. Read the verdict.
A provocative message has been spreading rapidly across WhatsApp groups and other social media platforms in Nigeria. The claim is direct: Ikeja Electric was recognized as the Worst Company of the Year 2025.
The message goes further, alleging that the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Folake Soetan, and Board Chairman, Kola Adesina, received a specific award titled Worst Business People. The supposed presenter of this award was the Nigerian Global Business Forum.
We asked a simple question: Did this actually happen?
We conducted a thorough investigation to verify this claim:
- Searched for Official Announcements: We found no official press statement, event report, or award listing from the Nigerian Global Business Forum regarding a “Worst Company” award.
- Reputable News Platforms: Credible Nigerian and global media outlets that cover the power sector have no record of this award. If a major national distributor had been publicly named “worst company,” it would have been widely reported.
- Examined Context (Regulatory Action): While the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) did seal Ikeja Electric’s headquarters in December 2025 over compliance issues, regulatory enforcement is not the same as a global “worst company” award.
- Checked Previous Recognitions: In prior years, Ikeja Electric has received industry awards for performance and gender diversity, contradicting the claim of a consistent “worst” performance.
- Direct Company Response: Ikeja Electric has publicly denied the report and announced plans for a forensic investigation and possible legal action against those responsible for spreading the claim.
After examining all available evidence, one fact stands clear: There is no verifiable record that Ikeja Electric, its CEO, or its Chairman received any official “Worst Company of the Year 2025” or “Worst Business People” award.
This story circulating online is a headline without proof.
Our verdict is: Unverified. Until credible proof exists, this claim must be considered unverified misinformation.
When dramatic and provocative claims appear, especially those that damage reputations, it is crucial to pause and check. Look for official sources and independent confirmation. Absence of evidence does not prove innocence, but bold accusations require credible proof.
Was American YouTube star IShowSpeed injured in Nigeria?
FACT CHECK: Episode 114 Was Ikeja Electric Named “Worst Company of the Year 2025?
