* Amupitan
The Pathfinder
Tuesday April 21, 2026
Please, share this story:
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has explained its decision not to disclose the identity of the forensic cybersecurity expert engaged to investigate alleged partisan social media posts linked to its chairman, Joash Amupitan.
The commission said the move is aimed at protecting the integrity of an ongoing investigation by the Nigeria Police cybercrime unit.
Speaking on Channels Television, INEC’s Director of Information and Communication Technology, Lawrence Bayode, said the matter has been formally referred to the National Cybercrime Centre under the Nigeria Police Force for independent review.
According to him, revealing the expert’s identity at this stage could compromise the investigative and judicial process.
“The reason why we are not publicly disclosing this expert is because the matter is now going to the National Cybercrime Center under the Nigerian Police Force,” Bayode said.
He added that the police cybercrime unit would conduct its own independent probe and release a separate report.
The controversy followed the circulation of viral screenshots on social media allegedly linking an X (formerly Twitter) account, @joashamupitan, to the INEC chairman. One of the posts attributed to the account read, “Victory is sure,” alongside claims of associated email, phone number, and BVN details.
However, INEC dismissed the allegations after conducting a forensic review using open-source intelligence (OSINT) tools, platform data analysis, and timestamp verification.
In a statement, the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Adedayo Oketola, said the findings showed that Prof. Amupitan does not operate an X account and that the viral content was fabricated.
He described the posts as “technically impossible” and part of a coordinated disinformation campaign.
INEC further cited timestamp inconsistencies—specifically a reply appearing before the original post—as strong evidence of digital manipulation.
Despite its findings, the commission acknowledged ongoing public scepticism and confirmed that the matter has now been handed over to law enforcement authorities.
The police cybercrime unit is expected to independently verify the claims and determine whether criminal impersonation or organised disinformation activities were involved.
—————————————-
Share your story or advertise with us:
08033783144 (WhatsApp)
08023469999(WhatsApp)
idowuadelusi@gmail.com,thepathfindernews0@gmail.com
Follow our reports also on X @idowuadelusi and Facebook (Idowu Oluwole Adelusi)
Instagram: https//www.instagram.com/idowuoluwoleadelusi