Fake AI Video: Cardinal Onaiyekan Denies Endorsing Herbal Product
…Urges Public to Disregard, Stop Circulation of Fabricated Video
By Our Correspondent
The Personal Secretary to His Eminence, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, Fr. Emmanuel Adugba, has dismissed as fake a video circulating on social media purportedly showing the Catholic cleric advertising a herbal product and claiming that it can cure hypertension and prevent heart attacks.
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In a disclaimer dated September 8, 2026, Fr. Adugba stated that the video was generated using artificial intelligence (AI) and does not represent any interview granted by Cardinal Onaiyekan.
He stressed that the statements attributed to the Cardinal in the video were completely false and should not be regarded as his words or views.
“Our attention has been drawn to a video currently circulating on social media, purportedly showing His Eminence, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, advertising a herbal product and making claims that it can cure hypertension and prevent heart attacks,” the statement said.
The Personal Secretary further clarified that Cardinal Onaiyekan does not operate any personal Facebook account, warning members of the public to be wary of accounts or content falsely presented as belonging to him.
According to the statement, the Emeritus Archbishop of Abuja does not deal in, advertise, sell or endorse herbal medicines or herbal products and has no association whatsoever with the product being promoted in the video.
Fr. Adugba therefore appealed to members of the public to disregard the video and refrain from sharing, reposting or further circulating it.
He noted that continued circulation of fabricated content only contributes to the spread of false and misleading information.
“We therefore appeal to members of the public to disregard the video and not to share, repost, or further circulate it. Sharing such fabricated content only helps to spread false and misleading information,” he stated.
The clarification comes amid growing concerns over the use of artificial intelligence to create fabricated videos and audio recordings of public figures, which can be used to promote products or disseminate statements falsely attributed to them.
Fr. Adugba, who signed the disclaimer on behalf of Cardinal Onaiyekan, appreciated members of the public for their understanding and cooperation.
DemocracyNewslineNewspaper, September 16, 2026
