Forensic probe clears Amupitan in partisan X account posts, says INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced plans to track down and prosecute those responsible for creating a fake X (formerly Twitter) account allegedly linked to its Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, after a forensic probe absolved him of any wrongdoing.

The clarification follows weeks of online uproar triggered by viral screenshots suggesting the INEC chairman operated an X handle (@joashamupitan) and posted a partisan message, “Victory is sure,” in reply to another user.

The controversy deepened as additional images circulated online, claiming to show emails, phone numbers, BVN details and alleged data breaches connecting the professor to the account. These claims spread widely before undergoing verification.

In a statement issued Monday by the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Adedayo Oketola, the commission cautioned against the circulation of unverified social media content.

Probe finds impersonation and coordinated disinformation

Findings from an independent forensic and cybersecurity investigation commissioned by INEC dismissed the allegations, describing them as “fabricated, technically impossible and part of a coordinated disinformation campaign.”

Using X platform analytics, OSINT techniques, internet archive data and timestamp verification, investigators concluded that Prof. Amupitan “does not operate any personal X account.”

A key part of the report stated, “The X account attributed to Prof. Amupitan is a clear case of impersonation. All alleged posts, replies or statements linked to him are fraudulent and unverifiable.”

The analysis showed the account in question was created in September 2022 but had no connection to the professor’s verified email addresses or official institutional contacts.

A major inconsistency highlighted in the report involved the timing of the alleged post.

“The alleged reply ‘Victory is sure’ was posted 13 minutes before the original post it responded to. This is physically impossible on any digital platform.”

Investigators further established that the reply could not be found on the live X platform or in archived records, noting, “The reply has never existed on X. It is absent from both live threads and historical records.”

“The Internet Archive (Wayback Machine) reportedly showed no trace of the account or any activity attributed to it before April 2026.

The report also pointed to a “deliberate impersonation pattern,” revealing that on the same day the screenshots gained traction, the account changed its name from @joashamupitan to @sundayvibe00, switched to private mode and was labelled a “Parody Account.”

According to investigators, this move indicated an attempt to cover tracks.

“The renaming and ‘parody’ label is consistent with damage-control by an impersonator,” the report stated.

At least seven additional fake accounts on Facebook and Instagram were identified as part of what was described as a “multi-platform coordinated impersonation effort.”

No verifiable link to personal data, INEC says

The investigation also dismissed claims linking the account to the chairman through email, phone number or BVN information.

While confirming that the professor’s phone number is legitimately registered, the report emphasised, “A phone number appearing in BVN records does not establish ownership of a social media account. There is no technical linkage between the X account and the phone number or email address.”

Efforts to connect the account using X’s verification and recovery systems yielded no ties to any official identity associated with the INEC chairman.

Case handed to security agencies for prosecution

INEC disclosed that the matter has been forwarded to security agencies for further investigation and possible prosecution under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act.

The statement read in part, “The forensic evidence is comprehensive, multi-sourced and unambiguous. The posts attributed to Prof. Amupitan are fabricated. The account is a clear case of impersonation.

“The public is advised to refrain from sharing or amplifying unverified screenshots. Media organisations must apply strict verification standards before publication.”

The commission also called on social media platforms including X, Meta and Instagram to improve their response systems in tackling impersonation involving public officials.

INEC reiterated that Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan does not maintain any personal social media accounts, stressing that all official updates will continue to come exclusively from verified commission channels.

“Any account purporting to represent the INEC Chairman should be treated as fraudulent unless confirmed through official sources,” the statement added.

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