A Chief Magistrate court in Abuja on Friday ordered the remand of social media influencer Ghali Isma’il at the Keffi Correctional Centre.
Isma’il was arrested by Department of State Services (DSS) operatives after he posted videos on his TikTok account (@bola_asiwaju) falsely claiming that President Bola Tinubu had died from a serious illness.
Isma’il faces a two-count charge.
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The first count, “Publication of false news with intent to offend public peace,” accuses him of publishing false information on or about July 20, 2025. The charge states he uploaded a video falsely claiming reliable official confirmation that President Tinubu was critically ill from poisoning, intending to cause public alarm and disturb public peace. This allegedly violates Section 418 of the Penal Code Act.
The second count, “Inciting Disaffection to the Government,” similarly charges Isma’il with publishing false information on the same date via the TikTok video. This count alleges his intent was to bring contempt or incite disaffection against the President, an offense punishable under Section 416 of the Penal Code Act.
After hearing arguments from both the DSS and the defendant’s counsel, whose bail application was denied, the presiding judge, Ekpeyong Iyang, ordered Isma’il’s remand.
The case has been adjourned until August 19.
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