The Independent National Electoral Commission has debunked a purported statement claiming that it has commenced investigation into a case of criminal forfeiture against one of the presidential candidates in the 2023 General Election.

The commission in a statement by its National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, in Abuja on Saturday, described it as fake news and the handiwork of mischief makers.

“A press release purported to have been issued by the Commission has been trending online since yesterday Friday Nov. 11, 2022.

“It claims that the commission has commenced investigation into a case of criminal forfeiture against one of the Presidential candidates in the forthcoming general election and is liaising with a Court in the United States of America in pursuit of same to determine possible violation of our guidelines or the Electoral Act 2022.

“We wish to state categorically that the said press release did not emanate from the commission nor is it pursuing the purported course of action. It is the handiwork of mischief makers and utterly fake.”

Okoye said that press releases from the INEC are uploaded to the INEC Press Corps platform and simultaneously disseminated through the commission’s website and official social media handles.