Police Arrest Suspect Behind False Audio Clip About Tinubu, Presidency Confirms

The presidency has confirmed that operatives of the Nigeria Police Force have apprehended Ifechukwu Dennis for creating a fraudulent audio clip and distributing it to the public as the voice of President Bola Tinubu.

The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who confirmed the development to Naija News in a statement on Thursday, said Dennis was arrested by the crack team of the Inspector General of Police.

Onanuga also disclosed that the suspect was arrested in Benin.

According to him, the Police will soon issue an official statement on the development.

“The IGP crack team has arrested Ifechukwu Dennis who originated the fake voice that he passed on to his gullible targets as President Tinubu’s voice. Dennis was arrested in Benin. The police will issue an official statement.” Onanuga wrote on his 𝕏 Account.

The presidential spokesperson added that another man who made a fake and reckless post about the security situation in Abuja has also been arrested by the Police.

Onanuga submitted that the arrests are clear signals that reckless users of social media will face the consequences of their actions.

“The police have also arrested this Nigerian who made an alarming post about Abuja’s security, spreading fear among citizens. By arresting him, the police have sent the clear message that reckless users of social media won’t go scot-free,” he wrote.

The Presidency had last week accused social media influencer Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), of circulating an alleged fake audio purportedly involving President Tinubu.

The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, made the call in a post on 𝕏 and called for the prosecution of the social media activist.

Onanuga accused VDM of spreading false content on social media. The presidential aide described the circulation of the audio as an abuse of social media.

However, it was subsequently discovered that the fake audio did not originate from VDM.