Forensic probe clears Amupitan of controversial X post
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday said a forensic investigation had cleared its Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), of involvement in a controversial social media post attributed to him.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday said a forensic investigation had cleared its Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), of involvement in a controversial social media post attributed to him.
INEC, in a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Chairman, Adedayo Oketola, said the investigation established that Prof. Amupitan neither owned nor operated any social media account.
The Commission explained that the controversial post on an X handle allegedly linked to the chairman was fabricated, noting that forensic analysis showed the reply attributed to him was posted 13 minutes before the original post it purportedly responded to, an impossibility on any digital platform.
According to Oketola, the Commission engaged an independent forensic cybersecurity expert to conduct a comprehensive investigation using X platform data, internet archive records, open-source intelligence tools, and cross-platform analysis.
“The report conclusively established that Prof. Amupitan does not operate any personal X account. All posts attributed to him are fraudulent, technically impossible, and part of a coordinated disinformation effort,” the statement said.
The investigation found that the disputed X account was created in September 2022, but had no verifiable link to the chairman’s known email or phone number.
Attempts to associate the account with his credentials through X’s recovery and verification systems failed.
It further revealed that the alleged reply, “Victory is sure,” was time-stamped earlier than the original post by another user, making it a clear evidence of digital manipulation.
INEC also noted that searches on the Internet Archive’s Wayback Machine showed no trace of the account or its activity before April 2026, despite claims that it had been active earlier.
Additionally, the account was reportedly renamed to another handle and labelled a parody account shortly after the screenshots went viral, a move the Commission described as consistent with impersonation and damage control.
The investigation also uncovered at least seven fake social media accounts across platforms such as Facebook and Instagram using variations of Prof. Amupitan’s name and image, suggesting a coordinated impersonation campaign.
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Oketola dismissed claims linking the chairman’s Bank Verification Number (BVN) or phone number to the account, describing such conclusions as “a logical fallacy, not forensic proof.”
He added that data from Know Your Customer (KYC) records and alleged breaches did not establish any connection between the chairman and the X account.
INEC warned Nigerians against sharing or amplifying unverified social media content, noting the growing use of artificial intelligence and digital tools to fabricate information.
The Commission also urged media organisations to prioritise accuracy over speed and apply strict verification standards before publishing sensitive materials.
INEC said the forensic report has been forwarded to law enforcement agencies to identify and prosecute those behind the alleged impersonation under the Cybercrimes Act.
It reiterated that all official communications from the Commission are issued only through its verified platforms and formal channels.
