The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the outcome of a forensic probe into an alleged X account connected to Joash Amupitan, its chairman.
Adedayo Oketola, chief press secretary to Amupitan, said in a statement on Monday that the investigation revealed the account, @joashamupitan, and all posts linked to the INEC chairman were fake and “forensically unverifiable.”
The issue began on April 10 when social media users shared screenshots claiming Amupitan operated the account and posted a partisan remark, “Victory is sure” in response to another user.
The allegation gained traction with additional screenshots showing emails, phone numbers, OPay and bank verification number (BVN), presented as proof of ownership.
Oketola said INEC engaged an independent forensic cybersecurity expert who carried out a “multi-layered forensic and digital investigation” using platform data, internet archives, and open-source intelligence tools.
“The independent forensic investigation report conclusively establishes that Prof Amupitan does NOT operate any personal X (Twitter) account,” the statement reads.
“All the alleged posts, replies, or statements attributed to him on X (Twitter) are fraudulent, forensically unverifiable, technically impossible, and part of a coordinated disinformation.”
According to the spokesperson, the report found that the account underwent suspicious changes on the same day the screenshots circulated.
He explained that the account was renamed from @joashamupitan to @sundayvibe00, later set to private, and eventually labelled as a parody account.
“This is clearly a damage-control tactic by an impersonator seeking to eliminate a digital trail,” Oketola said.
On claims linking the account to Amupitan’s email and phone number, he said forensic checks found no connection, adding that attempts to establish links through OPay and BVN records failed.
“The X platform would have confirmed linkage had any genuine association existed. Therefore, there is no linkage between the email account and the X account,” he said.
“A phone number appearing in a BVN record cannot be used to establish social media account ownership.”
Oketola described such conclusions as “a logical fallacy, not forensic proof,” while also dismissing claims based on data breach records as “non-specific” and insufficient to establish ownership or control of any X account.
He further noted a major inconsistency in the viral screenshots.
“The alleged reply was timestamped 13 minutes before the original post existed. No platform can receive a reply before the original post is published. This is physically impossible,” he said.
“It is proof that the screenshot was edited or digitally fabricated before circulation.”
He added that checks on the live X platform showed the alleged reply does not exist and has never existed.
Oketola said the investigation uncovered a broader pattern of impersonation across platforms such as Facebook and Instagram.
“The forensic evidence is comprehensive, multi-sourced, and unambiguous. The posts attributed to Prof. Amupitan on X are fabricated,” he said.
“The account is a clear case of impersonation, and the surrounding activity points to a coordinated disinformation effort intended to manipulate public perception.
“One of the independent investigators described it as “a coordinated digital impersonation and disinformation campaign.”
He added that the report has been forwarded to law enforcement agencies for further action.
“The independent forensic report has been referred to the law enforcement agencies for necessary action. The law enforcement agencies should move swiftly to trace the origin of the fabricated screenshots, identify the individuals responsible for creating and operating the @joashamupitan account, and prosecute them under Nigeria’s Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act.”