INEC Probe: Amupitan X Account Impersonation - Digital Disinformation Found
INEC conducted forensic investigation confirming allegations against Chairman Joash Amupitan operating X account and making partisan posts are digitally fabricated impersonation. The probe used X platform data, internet archives, OSINT tools, and identity forensics to verify the disputed @joashamupitan account was created in September 2022 but has no linkage to the chairman's verified email addresses. Key findings include: timestamp inconsistencies showing an alleged 2026 reply appeared 13 minutes before the original post; account was renamed to @sundayvibe00 and set to private on April 10 when screenshots went viral; seven fake Facebook and Instagram accounts identified. INEC warns this represents a coordinated disinformation campaign with growing risks from AI and deepfakes. The forensic report has been forwarded to law enforcement for prosecution under Nigeria's Cybercrimes Act. Prof. Amupitan does not operate any personal X account.