Forensic Probe Exposes Fake X Account Targeting INEC Chairman

A comprehensive forensic investigation has revealed that a viral X (formerly Twitter) account falsely attributed to the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Ojo Amupitan, is fabricated and part of a coordinated disinformation campaign.

The Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Adedayo Oketola, disclosed this in a statement issued Monday in Abuja, stating that independent cybersecurity experts confirmed the Chairman does not operate any personal account on X.

According to Oketola, the investigation employed advanced forensic techniques, including platform data analysis, internet archive searches, open-source intelligence (OSINT) tools, and cross-platform identity verification. The findings, he said, were “conclusive and unambiguous.”

The controversy began on April 10, 2026, after viral posts alleged that Amupitan made a partisan comment — “Victory is sure” — from the handle @joashamupitan. However, the forensic report found multiple inconsistencies and signs of manipulation.

Among the key findings:

• No digital linkage was established between the account and the Chairman’s verified contact details.
• Claims tying the account to BVN or OPay data were dismissed as logically flawed.
• Timestamp analysis showed the alleged reply was posted 13 minutes before the original tweet—an impossibility.
• No historical trace of the account existed prior to April 2026 on web archives.
• The post in question was confirmed never to have existed on X.
• The account was later renamed, set to private, and labeled a parody account.
• At least seven additional fake accounts impersonating the Chairman were identified across other platforms.

Oketola described the case as a “coordinated digital impersonation and disinformation campaign,” warning that emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, are making such fabrications increasingly sophisticated.

He urged the public and media organizations to verify information before sharing, emphasizing that virality does not equal authenticity. He also confirmed that the forensic report has been forwarded to law enforcement agencies for investigation and possible prosecution under Nigeria’s Cybercrimes Act.

Reaffirming INEC’s communication protocols, Oketola stated that all official updates are released solely through the Commission’s verified platforms. He advised the public to treat any personal account claiming to represent the INEC Chairman as fraudulent unless officially confirmed.