​The Emeritus Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, His Eminence, John Cardinal Onaiyekan (CON), has disowned a viral social media video depicting him as promoting an unverified herbal product for hypertension and heart disease.

​In a statement issued in Abuja signed by Fr. Emmanuel Adugba, Personal Secretary to the Cardinal, he said that the circulating footage is a deepfake created using artificial intelligence (AI) technology, warning the public against falling victim to the scam.

​He stressed that the cleric has never endorsed any medical products and holds no affiliation with the creators of the video.

​”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.

“We wish to make it clear that the video is fake and was generated using artificial intelligence (AI). His Eminence did not grant any interview in which he discussed or endorsed any such product,” he said.

​Fr. Adugba noted that the statements attributed to the respected religious leader in the media clip are “completely false and should not be regarded as his words or views.”

​Addressing rumours surrounding the Cardinal’s online presence, the Secretariat clarified that Onaiyekan does not maintain an account on Facebook, where the fraudulent advertisement has reportedly been widely distributed.

​”We also wish to clarify that His Eminence, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, is not on Facebook and does not operate any personal Facebook account,” Fr. Adugba stated.

“Furthermore, His Eminence does not deal in, advertise, sell, or endorse herbal medicines or herbal products. He has no association whatsoever with the product being promoted in the video.”

He appealed to citizens to exercise critical judgment when encountering unsolicited health claims online, especially in a society where there is rising trend of AI-driven impersonation targeting high-profile public figures, religious leaders and medical experts.

​The statement urged social media users to halt the spread of the deceptive media.

​”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,” it stated.