IN SHORT: Odumosu led the publicly funded anti-crime Rapid Response Squad and also chaired a special unit of the Lagos police. But online claims that he will chair the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission are false.

A post circulating on Facebook in Nigeria claims that former top police officer, Hakeem Odumosu, has been appointed chair of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The commission investigates financial crimes in the country.

Odumosu is the retired assistant inspector general who served in the force for 32 years. He was the commander of the publicly funded anti-crime Rapid Response Squad and also headed a special environmental unit of the Lagos police.

Lagos is Nigeria's most populous state and the country's economic hub.

The post, with a photo of Odumosu, reads: "Hakeem Odumosu is EFCC Chairman appointed by Tinubu. He will be the first Southerner to head the agency since its creation. Welcome to a new dispensation."

The country's north is largely Muslim and the south largely Christian.

The same claim also appeared here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here on Facebook.

Bola Tinubu was sworn in as Nigeria's president on 29 May 2023.

But did Tinubu, so soon after taking office, appoint Odumosu as EFCC chair?

Tinubu suspends EFCC chairman

In June, Tinubu approved the indefinite suspension of EFCC chair, Abdulrasheed Bawa, to allow for proper investigation into his conduct while in office.

Bawa was accused of abuse of office and corruption.

Tinubu has appointed Abdulkarim Chukkol, the director of operations at the EFCC, as the agency's acting chair.

'Totally untrue,' says Odumosu

On 21 June, Odumosu denied claims that he had been appointed chair of the commission.

Odumosu said the news of his supposed appointment "must have emanated from Mischief Makers and should be totally disregarded".

He said the claims were "totally untrue".