A Chief Magistrate Court in Abuja has ordered the remand of social media influencer Ghali Isma’il following his arrest by Department of State Services (DSS) for spreading false claims about President Bola Tinubu’s health.
Gatekeepers News reports that Isma’il, 29, was apprehended after posting a video on the verified TikTok account @bola_asiwaju, in which he alleged that President Tinubu had died after suffering a critical illness and being poisoned. The DSS detained him several days after the video gained attention online.
The native of Jogana village in Gezawa Local Government Area of Kano State appeared in court on a two-count charge involving the dissemination of false information and incitement of public disaffection.
According to the first count, the influencer claimed falsely and under the guise of verified sources that the president was gravely ill. This charge violates Section 418 of the Penal Code Act, Cap P3, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
In the second count, prosecutors accused Isma’il of attempting to stir public contempt and unrest through the deliberate spread of misinformation, an offence under Section 416 of the Penal Code.
Presiding Magistrate Ekpeyong Iyang denied the bail request made by Isma’il’s legal team and ruled that he be held at the Keffi Correctional Centre.
The matter has been adjourned to August 19 for further proceedings.
