INEC Clarifies Cybersecurity Investigation on Chairman

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has explained its decision to withhold the identity of a forensic cybersecurity expert involved in investigating alleged partisan social media posts linked to its chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan. INEC's Director of Communication, Lawrence Bayod, stated in an interview that the commission aims to avoid interfering with the ongoing police investigation.

The matter has been formally handed over to the Nigerian Police Force's Cybercrime Unit. INEC has already conducted an initial review using open-source intelligence (OSINT) tools and found multiple layers of technical verification regarding the allegations.

The commission emphasized that the investigation is independent and will not end with the initial findings. The controversy arose from viral screenshots claiming that Amupitan operated a partisan account, which were debunked through forensic analysis.

INEC's Chief Press Secretary, Adedayo Oketola, confirmed that the claims were fabricated and that Amupitan does not operate the account in question.