TikToker Remanded For Claiming President Tinubu Was Poisoned

A Chief Magistrate Court in Abuja has ordered the remand of social media influencer Ghali Isma’il at the Keffi Correctional Centre over false claims that President Bola Tinubu died from a serious illness caused by poisoning.

Isma’il was arrested by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) after posting the claims in a viral video on his verified TikTok handle @bola_asiwaju.

In the two-count charge against him, the first count titled “Publication of false news with intent to offend public peace,” alleged that Isma’il falsely claimed to have confirmed from official sources that the president was critically ill, and had been poisoned through his meal. The charge states that the post was made with the intent to cause public alarm and disturb peace — an offence punishable under Section 418 of the Penal Code Act.

The second count, “Inciting Disaffection to the Government,” accuses Isma’il of attempting to bring contempt and incite disaffection against President Tinubu, an offence under Section 416 of the Penal Code Act.

Presiding Magistrate Ekpeyong Iyang denied bail and ordered Isma’il’s remand at Keffi Correctional Centre. The matter was adjourned till August 19.

Isma’il’s arraignment comes days after Professor Farooq Kperogi, a journalism lecturer at Kennesaw State University in the U.S., apologized for falsely reporting that former President Muhammadu Buhari and his wife Aisha were divorced before his death.

It also follows ongoing legal proceedings against Biafran agitator Simon Ekpa, who is being prosecuted in Finland for terrorism-related offences tied to his online activities. Despite facing a possible six-year prison sentence, Ekpa maintains that his incendiary posts were for “content” creation.

Similarly, Nnamdi Kanu, another Biafran separatist, recently told a federal high court in Abuja that his own online broadcasts — which prosecutors claim led to the deaths of hundreds — were merely jokes.