- Former military and democratic leader in Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, left office on May 29, 2023, after eight years at the helm
- Buhari recently disclosed that he owns only three houses: one in his hometown of Daura, Katsina state, and two in Kaduna state
- However, social media posts have alleged that the FBI raided a New York house purportedly owned by the ex-leader of Nigeria
Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 4 years of experience in fact-checking.
New York, USA – Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) posts circulating in Nigeria claimed that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) raided a New York house belonging to former President Muhammadu Buhari and found $5 billion in cash and gold worth $700 million.
The FBI, an agency in the United States, enforces federal law and investigates a variety of criminal activity including terrorism, cybercrime, white-collar crimes, public corruption, civil rights violations, and other major crimes.
Photo credits: Horacio Villalobos, Douglas Sacha
Source: Getty Images
The post reads:
“Breaking News: $5 Billion in Cash and $700 Million in Gold Found in Buhari’s New York Residence as FBI Raids Property; Trump Orders Clampdown on Nigerian Politicians’ Homes. Trump has ordered the money to be placed on hold as he doesn’t trust the current president of Nigeria, who he said is worse than Buhari.”
The claim can also be found in this Facebook post and another post.
Legit.ng observed that some internet users seem to believe the ‘news’.
For example, Eunice Chibundu wrote on X:
“When I constantly prophesied @Mbuhari will be the richest President in the world from 2020-2023 you can see the evidence here. These are the looted black liquid gold money and Americans yrly assistance money stashed in NY. Few days ago same [expletive] man was acting like a poor man.”
Suleiman Usman (@us96911) commented:
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“But the same Buhari lied that he fed through his house rent in Kaduna what a lamba. But God Almighty has exposed him and others will certainly follow suits.”
@OluAdenodi tweeted:
“It is incredible that $5 Billion in cash and $700 million in Gold can be found in Buhari’s New York residence. Buhari lived like an average Nigerian in high position. His military life, retirement, politician and as President. He lived a puritanical lifestyle. Never ostentatious.”
No evidence on claim about Buhari
But is it true that the FBI raided Buhari’s so-called New York house, and did they find $5 billion in cash and $700 million worth of gold? Legit.ng has probed the matter and found no evidence to support these claims.
It is unlikely that international media would fail to report a discovery of such magnitude by the FBI linked to a former Nigerian president.
Besides, Buhari has always spoken about the home he owns. In January 2025, he disclosed that he sustains himself through rental income from one of his two houses in Kaduna state, emphasising the importance of transparency and accountability in public office.
According to the septuagenarian, he owns only three houses: one in his hometown of Daura, Katsina state, and two in Kaduna.
Speaking at an All Progressives Congress (APC) caucus meeting held on Sunday, January 25, 2025, at the Presidential Banquet Hall of Katsina state’s government house, Buhari said:
“After my eight years as a civil president, I have only three houses; one in Daura and two in Kaduna. I have given one out for renting where I get money for feeding.”
Earlier, in May 2023, Buhari said he had no house outside Nigeria.
Therefore, the rumours of the FBI discovering $5 billion in cash and gold worth $700 million in Buhari’s purported residence abroad remain unsubstantiated.
Read more on Buhari:
Buhari gifts musician dollars
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that a video on TikTok showed Buhari gifting dollars to a northern Nigerian musician named An Soja Autan.
The gesture sparked reactions on social media, given Buhari’s reputation as a strict, incorruptible leader who is rarely seen socialising.
In the video, Buhari gifted dollars to the musician and clapped energetically as the artist performed his songs in the Hausa language.
Proofreading by James, Ojo Adakole, journalist and copy editor at Legit.ng.
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Source: Legit.ng
