TDA confidential memo addressed to Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN), Chairman of Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has surfaced.
The memo warned of serious legal consequences over his public denial of ownership of certain social media and financial accounts.
The document, signed by activist Comrade IG Wala, accused Amupitan of misleading Nigerians.
It cautioned that continued denials could expose him to charges of perjury and abuse of state machinery.
It may also result to reputational damage both locally and internationally.
Background
Amupitan recently issued a press statement denying links to a controversial X (formerly Twitter) account alleged to contain partisan content.
He claimed the account was the product of a cyberattack and threatened arrests of those spreading the allegations.
However, forensic investigators reportedly traced the account—renamed @Sundayvibe00—to Amupitan’s official email, phone number, and OPay account.
That raised questions about his credibility and neutrality as head of Nigeria’s electoral umpire.
Key Points from the Memo
1. The Forensic Trap
- Denial, the memo warns, is not a defense in the digital age.
- Banking institutions like OPay operate under strict Know Your Customer (KYC) rules. A subpoena could reveal the BVN and NIN tied to the account.
- Tech companies could be compelled to provide IMEI login history, showing whether the account was accessed from Amupitan’s personal or official devices.
2. Legal Consequences
- False Information: Using police to investigate a fabricated cyberattack could constitute a criminal offense.
- Perjury: If denials are sworn in affidavits or presented in court, Amupitan risks disbarment as a SAN and permanent disqualification from public office.
3. International Litigation
- The ECOWAS Court has consistently ruled against state harassment of citizens over digital expression.
- A case filed there could expose Nigeria to international embarrassment and fines, with Amupitan held personally responsible.
- Global legal bodies could blacklist him, turning his academic career into a cautionary tale of “digital-era integrity failure.”
4. Recommendations
- The memo urges Amupitan to pivot toward transparency, warning that threats of arrest are perceived globally as intimidation.
- It concludes bluntly: “Your best option is to resign now.”
Wider Implications
This development intensifies scrutiny of INEC’s leadership at a time when Nigeria is preparing for the 2027 general elections.
Critics argue that allegations of partisanship and dishonesty undermine public confidence in the Commission’s neutrality.
Civil society groups have already called for independent investigations, while opposition parties are expected to leverage the controversy to question INEC’s credibility.
Reactions
- Legal experts note that if forensic evidence is indeed tied to Amupitan’s identifiers, the matter could escalate quickly into criminal and disciplinary proceedings.
- Political analysts warn that the scandal risks eroding trust in Nigeria’s electoral process, potentially destabilizing preparations for 2027.
- Activists emphasize that the issue is not just about one individual but about safeguarding democratic institutions from partisan compromise.
The leaked memo represents a serious escalation in the ongoing #AmupitanGate scandal.
With forensic evidence reportedly linking the INEC Chairman to the disputed account, and legal experts warning of perjury risks, the pressure on Amupitan to resign is mounting.
As Nigeria’s electoral umpire faces one of its most significant credibility crises in recent history, the coming days will determine whether Amupitan fights to clear his name or bows to mounting calls for his resignation.
