Presidency calls for VDM’s prosecution over alleged Tinubu’s voice notes

Nigeria's presidency, through its Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has called for the prosecution of activist Martins “VeryDarkMan (VDM)” Otse. The accusation centers on the alleged dissemination of fake audio clips purportedly featuring President Bola Tinubu.

However, findings by PREMIUM TIMES indicate that the presidency's call for prosecution may be based on a manipulated video. Investigations revealed that a viral clip circulating online was created by an unidentified individual who extracted footage from VDM's original Instagram video. This footage was then combined with AI-generated voice notes that mimicked President Tinubu's voice, falsely creating the impression that the activist himself shared the audio.

The manipulated clip contained AI-generated voice notes falsely attributing several claims to Mr. Tinubu. These included assertions that he deliberately allowed insecurity to persist in parts of the country for political gain. The fabricated audio also falsely suggested the president had asked former Anambra State governor Peter Obi to step down and threatened to escalate insecurity in the South-east.

PREMIUM TIMES' findings confirmed that the viral clip did not originate from VDM's original Instagram video posted on Tuesday. In his original footage, the activist was responding to comments made by content creator Mitchell “King Mitchy” Mukoro. VDM played an old campaign clip of Mr. Tinubu discussing electricity and governance from before the 2023 presidential election. In the original TVC News footage, Mr. Tinubu stated, "Whichever way, by all means necessary, you must have electricity, and you won’t pay for estimated bills anymore. A promise made will be a promise kept. If I don’t keep my promise and I run for a second term, don’t vote for me. That’s the truth."

An unidentified individual later extracted parts of VDM's original video and superimposed the fabricated AI-generated voice notes, circulating the altered version online. This edited clip retained the beginning of VDM's original video before switching to the fake audio, misleading viewers into believing the activist had shared or endorsed the recordings. The manipulated clip's wide circulation prompted Mr. Onanuga's call for VDM's prosecution, sparking conversations about the dangers of AI-generated misinformation.

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Whichever way, by all means necessary, you must have electricity, and you won’t pay for estimated bills anymore. A promise made will be a promise kept. If I don’t keep my promise and I run for a second term, don’t vote for me. That’s the truth.