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Amidst technological advancement, deepfakes have added new complexities to public discourse, presenting novel tactics for those manipulating narratives for personal or political gain. In 2024, several high-profile individuals fell victim to this insidious trend, with fabricated videos and misleading claims circulating widely on social media.
This report examined four notable cases of deepfake victims we fact-checked in 2024, shedding light on the techniques used to create several deceptive narratives and the importance of discerning fact from fiction in an increasingly complex media environment.
Bola Tinubu
After the British Broadcasting Company (BBC) released a controversial documentary about the late Temitope Joshua, founder of the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN), an Instagram user claimed that Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu, had condemned the documentary’s creators. The post featured a video allegedly showing President Tinubu, in which he purportedly rejected the documentary and defended Joshua’s legacy.
DUBAWA verified this claim by analysing the video’s composition and authenticity. Our findings revealed that the video had been manipulated to fit a specific narrative, exhibiting characteristics typical of deepfakes, such as unnatural fading and poor visual quality. Additionally, DUBAWA located the original video of President Tinubu, recorded weeks earlier, which contained no references to Mr Joshua or the BBC documentary. The analysis also highlighted discrepancies in audio synchronisation, further indicating that the video had been altered.
DUBAWA concluded in the report that the claim was false, as critical examination confirmed it was a deepfake designed to mislead viewers.
Another video involving Mr Tinubu went viral on March 5, 2024, claiming that the President had announced a reduction in fuel prices to N100 per litre by August. The post, shared by user @obehieguakhide, quickly gained traction, amassing 89,000 views and generating mixed reactions among users.
DUBAWA’s verification of the video found several signs of manipulation. The President’s lip movements did not align with his speech, and the audio exhibited a mechanical quality typical of deepfakes. Using the verification tool deepware.ai, we confirmed the video’s authenticity was questionable, with high percentages indicating it was likely fabricated. Further analysis with WeVerify revealed additional evidence of manipulation.
Given that fuel prices in Nigeria were at an all-time high—ranging from N630 to N670 at the time, claims of a sudden 500% reduction were deemed unfounded. Ultimately, DUBAWA concluded that the video was a deepfake intended to mislead the public regarding fuel pricing. You can read this report here in full.
Samuel Achilefu
A Nigerian biomedical engineering professor, Samuel Achilefu, became a victim of deepfake when Fluate, a Facebook page, posted a video on May 17, 2024, in which he allegedly promoted a natural remedy for hypertension. In the video, he described Nigeria as having “millions of walking corpses” due to neglect of health without specifying the name of the natural remedy that can eliminate seven diseases in seven weeks.
The post quickly gained traction, accumulating over 7,600 reactions and nearly 1,000 comments by June 19, 2024. However, upon investigating the comments, DUBAWA found that only the poster’s comment was visible, suggesting potential manipulation. Another account also showcased Achilefu advertising a “Normatone,” which claimed to improve cardiovascular health without adverse effects.
DUBAWA’s verification revealed several red flags in the video, including low resolution and blurred lip movements—typical signs of deepfake technology. The video also included unrelated keyframes and poor audio-visual synchronisation. Further checks on Achilefu’s social media showed no endorsements of such products, and when contacted, he requested assistance to inform the public about these misleading adverts.
As seen in the report, the video was digitally manipulated to promote an unidentified cardiovascular drug falsely. Samuel Achilefu did not endorse this product, and the advertisement is a deepfake intended to mislead users on social media.
Akinwumi Adesina
On Nov. 17, 2024, a Facebook page called Union Patriotica Cordoba posted a sponsored message of a fabricated image resembling a report from the Vanguard newspaper, alleging that the Central Bank of Nigeria was suing Akinwumi Adesina over statements made during a live television interview.
As of Nov. 21, 2024, the post garnered significant engagement with 583 reactions and 32 comments. DUBAWA investigated the claim because of its serious implications for Mr Adesina’s reputation as president of the African Development Bank (AFDB).
Upon examination, DUBAWA found discrepancies between the fake publication and authentic Vanguard articles, including differences in layout and missing elements typical of genuine reports. The supposed interview was attributed to a non-existent journalist and contained links redirecting users to a dubious trading platform named Coinsterix.
DUBAWA confirmed no evidence of legal action against Adesina by the Central Bank of Nigeria and highlighted his prior warnings about deepfakes on social media. Ultimately, the investigation concluded that the claims were false and aimed at misleading the public while promoting a fraudulent product. You can read the detailed report on DUBAWA.
Donald Trump
A WhatsApp-forwarded video claims that U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has demanded the immediate release of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), from Nigerian detention. In the video, Trump purportedly expressed concern over Kanu’s prolonged detention, which he described as a violation of fairness and human rights, threatening to withdraw all financial and humanitarian aid to Nigeria if Kanu was not released by Nov. 31, 2024, as it contravenes the U.S. stands on justice and democracy.
Trump. Source: Britannica
We discovered several discrepancies when we fact-checked the video. The analysis revealed mismatched lip movements and audio issues, and he did not mention Nigeria or Nnamdi Kanu in his campaign speech, which was the original footage. Since Trump has yet to assume office and the claim includes an incorrect date, DUBAWA concluded that the video was fabricated to mislead viewers regarding Trump’s stance on Kanu’s situation.
Conclusion
Deepfakes posing significant risks to public trust and individual reputations in Nigeria indicate an advancement in technological manipulation. However, DUBAWA’s commitment to exposing these fabricated narratives empowers the public with the knowledge needed to navigate the complexities of misinformation in today’s digital landscape.
