Court Remands TikToker Over False Video Claiming President Tinubu’s Death

‌A Chief Magistrate Court in Abuja has ordered the remand of social media influencer Ghali Isma’il at the Keffi Correctional Centre for allegedly publishing a false TikTok video announcing the death of President Bola Tinubu.

The Department of State Services (DSS) arrested the 29-year-old following a video posted on his verified TikTok account, @bola_asiwaju, in which he falsely claimed that the President had died after being poisoned.

Isma’il, a native of Jogana Village in Gezawa Local Government Area of Kano State, was arraigned on a two-count charge bordering on the publication of false news and inciting disaffection against the government.

The first charge accused him of spreading false information on or about July 20, 2025, alleging he had confirmed from official sources that President Tinubu was critically ill due to poisoning. The prosecution argued that the intent of the post was to cause public panic and disrupt peace — an offence punishable under Section 418 of the Penal Code Act, Cap P3, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

The second charge, based on Section 416 of the Penal Code, alleged that Isma’il’s false claims were designed to incite disaffection and contempt against the President.

Presiding Magistrate Ekpeyong Iyang denied Isma’il’s bail request and ordered his remand at the Keffi Correctional Centre. The case was adjourned until August 19 for further hearing.

Isma’il’s case comes just days after U.S.-based journalism professor Farooq Kperogi issued a public apology for falsely claiming former President Muhammadu Buhari and his wife, Aisha, were divorced before his death.

Meanwhile, in Finland, separatist agitator Simon Ekpa is standing trial on terrorism-related charges linked to his pro-Biafra online broadcasts. Finnish prosecutors are seeking a six-year prison sentence, arguing that his digital content promotes terrorism.

Also in Abuja, Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the banned Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), told a Federal High Court last week that his online broadcasts were jokes, despite the prosecution’s claims they contributed to hundreds of deaths.