By Correspondent in Abuja.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed October 30 for the arraignment of five suspects accused of cyberbullying Senator Shehu Umar, Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence.
The case, which was earlier scheduled for Tuesday, could not proceed as the presiding judge, Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia, was absent. Although counsel for both the prosecution, Mr. Anthony Egwu, and the defence, Messrs. Hamza Dantani and Affis Matanmi, were in court, the matter was adjourned to October 30 for the defendants to take their plea.
The Inspector-General of Police (I-G) filed an 11-count charge against the defendants — Ahmed Abdulrahman (41), Daure David (35), Ishaq Muhammed (25), Abdulrashid Musa (30), and Nasir Abubakar (21) — accusing them of offences bordering on cybercrime and advance fee fraud.
According to the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/526/2025, dated October 3 and filed on October 6, the suspects were alleged to have conspired in 2025 to commit cyberstalking against Senator Umar, in violation of Sections 27(1)(b) and 21(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 (as amended in 2024).
In one of the counts, Abdulrahman, identified as the first defendant, was accused of using his TikTok handle “Kibanna Channel” and YouTube page to post a video in which he allegedly defamed the lawmaker by claiming that the senator was a sponsor of banditry and calling for his investigation.
The prosecution said the statement was made with knowledge of its falsity and with intent to incite public disorder, contrary to Section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes Act.
Meanwhile, two of the defendants, Musa and Abubakar (4th and 5th defendants), were said to have issued public video apologies admitting to their defamatory actions against the senator, who represents Bauchi South Senatorial District in the National Assembly.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
