A 29-year-old social media influencer, Ghali Isma’il, has been remanded at the Keffi Correctional Centre. The TikToker was sent to prison over a viral video in which he falsely claimed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was critically ill after being poisoned.
He was remanded on the orders of a Chief Magistrate Court in Abuja, has ordered the remand of Isma’il, who hails from Jogana village in Gezawa Local Government Area of Kano State, was arrested by operatives of the Department of State Services, DSS, for publishing the video using his TikTok handle, @bola_asiwaju.
He was arraigned on Friday on a two-count charge bordering on publication of false information with intent to cause public alarm and inciting disaffection against the government.
According to the charge sheet, the defendant uploaded a video clip on his verified TikTok account alleging, without evidence, that President Tinubu was critically ill after being poisoned through his food, a claim he said was confirmed by official sources. The offence is punishable under Section 418 of the Penal Code Act.
The second count accused Isma’il of inciting disaffection and public contempt against the President, an offence contrary to Section 416 of the same code. After hearing arguments from both prosecution and defence counsel, Magistrate Ekpeyong Iyang denied Isma’il’s bail application and ordered his remand at the Keffi Correctional Centre. The case was adjourned to August 19, 2025.
