Court Adjourns Cyberbullying Trial of Lawyer, Influencers to Feb. 16

By Correspondent in Abuja.
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday adjourned the trial of an Abuja-based lawyer and four social media influencers accused of cyberbullying Senator Shehu Buba Umar to Feb. 16.
Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia fixed the date following an application by Leyii Abueh, counsel to the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), seeking leave of court to re-arraign the defendants on an amended charge.
The defendants include Ahmed Abdulrahman, a lawyer, and four social media influencers. Two prosecution witnesses have already testified in the case.
One of the witnesses, Rabiu-Rangers Abdullahi, had on Monday told the court how the second defendant, David Daure, allegedly attempted to use the name of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, to defraud Senator Umar.
The AGF and Minister of Justice, Mr Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, took over prosecution of the case from the Inspector-General (I-G) of Police in December 2025. The defendants were initially charged by the I-G.
In the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/526/2025 and filed on Oct. 6, 2025, the defendants were listed as Abdulrahman (1st defendant), David Daure, Ishaq Muhammed, Abdulrashid Musa and Nasir Abubakar.
They were arraigned on Oct. 30, 2025, on an 11-count charge bordering on alleged cybercrime, defamation, advance fee fraud and related offences. All defendants pleaded not guilty and were initially remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre before being granted bail.
At the resumed hearing, Abueh informed the court that although the matter was slated for continuation of trial, the prosecution had filed an amended charge and sought permission to substitute it for the original one.
Defence counsel, including Abdul Mohammed, SAN, Hamza Dantani, Afix Matanmi and A. A. Badmus, raised no objection. However, while the amended charge was being read, the court sought clarification on the nature of the changes.
Abueh explained that the original charge contained an error in the name of the nominal complainant, Senator Umar, and that the relevant law had not been properly cited. She also disclosed that the prosecution intended to tender additional evidence.
Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia advised that since the errors were minor and the defence had no objection, the amended charge could be dropped to accelerate the trial. She noted that “justice delayed is justice denied” and warned that re-arraignment could lead to fresh bail applications, thereby wasting judicial time.
Both prosecution and defence agreed with the court’s suggestion, and the matter was adjourned until Feb. 16 for the prosecution to address the court on the necessity of the amended charge and for the defence to respond.
In count one of the original charge, the defendants were alleged to have conspired in 2025 to commit cyberstalking against Senator Umar, contrary to Section 27(1)(b) and punishable under Section 21(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015, as amended in 2024.
In count three, Abdulrahman was accused of intentionally transmitting a video via his TikTok handle, “Kibanna Channel,” and his YouTube channel, allegedly linking the senator to sponsorship of banditry in a bid to tarnish his image.
He was alleged to have made statements accusing Senator Umar of sponsoring banditry and calling for his investigation, knowing the claims to be false and capable of causing public disorder and fear.
The offence was said to be contrary to Section 24(1)(5) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015 (as amended), among other counts.
However, while the amended charge was being read, the court sought clarification on the nature of the changes.

Abueh explained that the original charge contained an error in the name of the nominal complainant, Senator Umar, and that the relevant law had not been properly cited. She also disclosed that the prosecution intended to tender additional evidence.

Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia advised that since the errors were minor and the defence had no objection, the amended charge could be dropped to accelerate the trial.

She noted that “justice delayed is justice denied” and warned that re-arraignment could lead to fresh bail applications, thereby wasting judicial time.

Both prosecution and defence agreed with the court’s suggestion, and the matter was adjourned until Feb. 16 for the prosecution to address the court on the necessity of the amended charge and for the defence to respond.

In count one of the original charge, the defendants were alleged to have conspired in 2025 to commit cyberstalking against Senator Umar, contrary to Section 27(1)(b) and punishable under Section 21(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015, as amended in 2024.

In count three, Abdulrahman was accused of intentionally transmitting a video via his TikTok handle, “Kibanna Channel,” and his YouTube channel, allegedly linking the senator to sponsorship of banditry in a bid to tarnish his image.

He was alleged to have made statements accusing Senator Umar of sponsoring banditry and calling for his investigation, knowing the claims to be false and capable of causing public disorder and fear.

The offence is said to be contrary to Section 24(1)(5) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015 (as amended), among other counts.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.