Fake news almost cost me my 40-year-old marriage – Lai Mohammed
Former Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, revealed that a fake report alleging $1.9 billion had been paid into his bank account almost ruined his 40-year-old marriage.
Speaking at an event organized by the Mass Communication Department of Olabisi Onabanjo University in Ogun State, he emphasized the severe impact of fake news and urged Nigerians to combat it.
Mohammed shared that after the false report, his wife demanded to become a signatory to his bank account, highlighting the personal toll of the misinformation.
Mohammed said, “The menace of fake news is a menace that must be tackled by all of us; this is something that nearly cost me my marriage of about 40 years.
“While we were in government, there was fake news that I had $1.9bn in my bank account and unfortunately, many people believed this falsehood, including my wife.
“One day, my wife woke me up in the middle of the night and spoke in Yoruba, She called me: ‘Daddy’, and I said, ‘Yes, what is it?’ She said, ‘we all know that death can come at any time; we may say it wouldn’t be this early but it may be, but whatever happens, it will be good if you make me one of the signatories to your bank account to prepare for any eventuality’”.
The former Minister added that even his “friends and many other people” were also begging for money after seeing the fake report.
