The UK National Crime Agency has denied accusing Akin Osuntokun, director-general of the Labour Party Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), of falsifying documents that claimed the agency was investigating Alpha-Beta Consulting, a professional services firm long linked to Omobola Tinubu, the APC presidential candidate.

“For your awareness, this letter is fake,” the agency said in response to an enquiry by Peoples Gazette on Thursday. “It was not issued by the UKFIU or the NCA.”

A letter purportedly from the agency dated January 30 had asked Mr Osuntokun to make a public statement “disavowing falsified documents which mislead through falsehoods, specifically in this instance the dissemination of a document purporting to be from the UK National Crime Agency (NCA), dated 23 January 2023, discussing another candidate in the Nigerian presidential election.”

According to the fake letter, an ultimatum of 21 days was given to Mr Osuntokun to issue the requested statement or legal proceedings would be initiated against him and his office.

The letter was shared on Twitter by hundreds of APC supporters who falsely claimed Mr Osuntokun was wanted by the UK Financial Intelligence Unit, a claim that has now been debunked by the agency.

Another viral letter that claimed Alpha Beta was under investigation by a foreign agency was a hoax, according to a fact check by The ICIR.

As the general elections draw nearer, followers of several political parties have started smear campaigns to disparage other candidates by spreading false information.