TikToker remanded over false claim on Tinubu’s health

An Abuja Chief Magistrate Court on Friday ordered the remand of a social media influencer, Ghali Isma’il, at the Keffi Correctional Centre for allegedly publishing false information that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had died after falling critically ill.

Isma’il, 29, was arrested by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) following a video he posted on his verified TikTok handle, @bola_asiwaju.

In the video, he claimed to have confirmed from official sources that the President was poisoned and had died as a result.

He was arraigned on a two-count charge bordering on the publication of false news and incitement against the government.

The first count, titled “Publication of false news with intent to offend public peace,” alleged that Isma’il uploaded a video on July 20, 2025, falsely claiming President Tinubu had been poisoned, with the intent to cause public alarm and disturb peace.

This offence is punishable under Section 418 of the Penal Code Act.

The second count, “Inciting disaffection to the government,” accused the TikToker of attempting to incite contempt and disaffection against the President by spreading the false claim.

This charge falls under Section 416 of the same Penal Code Act.

After hearing arguments from both prosecution and defence, the presiding magistrate, Ekpeyong Iyang, denied the bail application and ordered that Isma’il be remanded in custody pending the next hearing.

The matter was adjourned to August 19, 2025.

The case comes days after US-based Nigerian professor and media scholar, Farooq Kperogi, publicly apologized for sharing false information about the alleged divorce of former President Muhammadu Buhari and his wife, Aisha, before Buhari’s death.

The developments have reignited conversations about the dangers of misinformation on social media platforms in Nigeria.