- Tiktoker Remanded Over Fake News on Tinubu’s Health
- Ismael falsely alleged that the president had been poisoned through his food
- The case was adjourned to August 19 for trial
A Chief Magistrate’s Court in Abuja has ordered the remand of social media influencer Ghali Ismael at the Keffi Custodial Centre over allegations of spreading false information that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was seriously ill.
Eko Hot Blog gathered that Ismael was arrested by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) after sharing a series of videos on his verified TikTok account, @bola_asiwaju, where he falsely alleged that the president had been poisoned through his food.
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He is facing a two-count charge related to publishing false information intended to cause public unrest and inciting disaffection against the government. These offenses are punishable under Sections 418 and 416 of the Penal Code Act, Cap P3, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
The charge sheet read in part:
“That you, Ghali Isma’il, male, 29 years, of Jogana village, Gezawa LGA, Kano State, on or about the 20th day of July, 2025, and within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, did publish false information by uploading a video clip on your verified TikTok handle (@bola_asiwaju), wherein you falsely claimed that you reliably confirmed from official sources that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was critically ill, having been poisoned through his meal, with intent to cause public alarm and disturb public peace. You thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 418 of the Penal Code Act, Cap P3, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.”Tourism packages
The second count accused Isma’il of publishing the same false information “with intent to bring contempt or incite feelings of disaffection against the person of the President,” which is punishable under Section 416 of the same Act.
After hearing submissions from both the prosecution, representing the Department of State Services (DSS), and the defence, Magistrate Ekpeyong Iyang denied bail and ordered that the defendant remain in custody. The case was adjourned to August 19 for trial.
Ismail’s arraignment comes shortly after Farooq Kperogi, a journalism professor at Kennesaw State University in the United States, issued a public apology for wrongly claiming that the late President Muhammadu Buhari and his wife, Aisha, were divorced before his death.
In a related development, Biafran separatist Simon Ekpa is currently undergoing prosecution in Finland for alleged terrorism-related offences. He has denied all accusations.
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