Lawyer, 4 Others In FCID Custody For Allegedly Cyberbullying Senator Buba

A lawyer, Ahmed Abdulrahman, and his co-defendants have been ordered to remain in the custody of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) of the Force Headquarters after the Federal High Court in Abuja, has fixed November 24 for ruling in the lawyer’s bail application.

Justice Rita Offili Ajumogobia adjourned the case specifically to deliver ruling on Abdulrahman’s bail application and for hearing of the matter.

The five defendants are being prosecuted by the Inspector-General (IGP) on allegations bordering on cyberbullying a Senator, Shehu Umar Buba, Chairman, Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence.

The IGP named Abdulrahman, 41 years; Daure David, 35; Ishaq Muhammed, 25; Abdulrashid Musa, 30; and Nasir Abubakar, 21, as 1st to 5th defendants respectively.

The charge, marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/526/2025 is dated October 3 and filed by Anthony Egwu on October 6 as the defendants were, on October 30, arraigned on an 11-count charge which also bordered on offences such as cybercrime, defamation, advance fee fraud, among others.

They, however, pleaded not guilty to the counts, and Justice Ajumogobia ordered their remand at the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID).

Upon the resumed hearing on Wednesday, Afeez Matanmi, who appeared for Abdulrahman, told the court that the matter was scheduled for continuation of hearing of his client’s bail application.

Matanmi, who said the application was dated and filed on November 3, prayed the court to grant their prayer and A.A. Badmus, lawyer for the 4th defendant, informed the court that they also had a bail application.

The judge, however, told Badmus that the application cannot be taken because the time was far spent hence he adjourned the matter until November 24 for ruling on the 1st defendant’s bail application as well as for mention.

In count one, the defendants were alleged to have, sometime in 2025, conspired among themselves “to commit an offence, to wit; cyberstalking against Senator Shehu Buba Umar, an offence which is said to be contrary to Section 27(1)(b) and punishable under Section 21(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention etc.) Act 2015 (as amended) 2024.

In count three, Abdulrahman, the 1st defendant was alleged to have, sometime in 2025, intentionally sent a video via his Tiktok handle with user name “Kibanna Channel” and his Youtube channel to defame the lawmaker by linking him to sponsorship of banditry with a view to tarnishing his image as a serving Senator.

The suspect was alleged to have stated that “Senator Umar, a serving Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is a sponsor of banditry and called for his investigation, a statement you made by means of computer systems and network knowing same to be false, for the purpose of causing breakdown of law and order and causing the Senator fear of death.

In another count, Daure David was accused of attempting to collect N5 million from Senator Umar under false pretence that the money would be used to settle those planning to protest against him.

Garry Ochigbo, Edited By Grace Namiji