A forensic document concerning an X account allegedly associated with Joash Amupitan, chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has surfaced online.
The author of the 14-page report stated that it is an “independent forensic research publication and does not in any way, undermine any other independent or ongoing group investigation”.
The document, attributed to an organisation identified as “DIHIL”, claimed that certain social media users manipulated X’s artificial intelligence tool, Grok, by using leading prompts to distort information and mislead the public about the account linked to Amupitan.
It further alleged that “false narratives” were intentionally promoted to intensify calls for the INEC chairman’s resignation.
“From the above pattern and exposures of the trick deployed by these persons, who are trying to for no justifiable or verifiable reasons, want to tarnish the image of someone who has worked hard to build himself, up to the highest levels in all his careers, as a Civil Servant, an Academic, a Teacher, an Administrator and a Lawyer, should be condemned by all well-meaning human beings all over the world, especially Nigerians,” the report stated.
The report’s author also urged authorities to arrest and prosecute individuals behind the alleged misinformation campaign.
However, parts of the report have raised credibility concerns, particularly regarding the contact details listed. Attempts to reach the phone number included in the document were unsuccessful, as the line remained switched off.
A search using the Truecaller application identified the number under the name “Sedick Goat”, further fuelling doubts about its authenticity.
Efforts to verify the email address provided in the report also failed, as messages sent to it did not go through.
Further checks revealed that the domain name referenced — dihi.org — is linked to the Duke Institute for Health Innovation in the United States, an entity unrelated to the report or its claims.
Earlier, INEC released findings from its own investigation into the alleged X account linked to Amupitan.
The commission stated that the account, @joashamupitan, and all associated posts were fake and “forensically unverifiable”.
INEC said it “commissioned an independent forensic cybersecurity expert, who conducted a multi-layered forensic and digital investigation using X platform data, internet archive records, OSINT tools, identity forensics and cross-platform analysis”.
The controversy began on April 10 when social media users circulated screenshots alleging that Amupitan operated the account and made a partisan remark — “Victory is sure” — in response to a post by Dayo Israel, the national youth leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The claim gained traction through additional screenshots showing emails, phone numbers, OPay details and bank verification numbers presented as evidence of ownership.