A 29-year-old man from Kano State has been ordered to remain in prison after posting a false video on TikTok claiming that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had died from a serious illness.
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The decision was made by a Chief Magistrate Court on Friday after the suspect, Ghali Isma’il, appeared before the court.
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Isma’il was arrested by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) following his viral video on his verified TikTok account, @bola_asiwaju. In the clip, he alleged that President Tinubu had been poisoned and had died as a result. The video quickly attracted attention online and raised concerns among the public.
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The authorities charged Isma’il with two offences. The first charge accused him of publishing false information with the aim of stirring panic and disrupting public peace. The prosecution stated that the video was not just misleading but was intended to create tension by claiming he got the news from official sources.
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The second charge accused him of trying to damage the President’s image by inciting public resentment. According to court records, the video was deliberately crafted to provoke negative feelings and discredit the presidency. Both offences are punishable under Nigeria’s Penal Code.
The court listened to arguments from both the DSS legal team and the defence lawyer. However, after reviewing the case, Magistrate Ekpeyong Iyang refused the defendant’s bail application. The judge then ordered that Isma’il be held in Keffi Correctional Centre while the case continues.
This incident comes at a time when the government has warned against the spread of fake news on social media. Security agencies have increased monitoring of online platforms following a series of misinformation campaigns targeting public officials.
Isma’il is expected to remain in custody as the court prepares for the next stage of the case. The authorities have reminded the public that freedom of expression does not give room for spreading lies, especially those that could spark confusion or unrest in the country.
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