Court remands lawyer, four others over alleged cyberbullying of Bauchi Senator

Story by Susan Mbamah 

A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the remand of a lawyer, Ahmed Abdulrahman, and four other individuals over allegations of cyberbullying and blackmailing a serving senator, Shehu Buba Umar.

Justice Rita Offili-Ajumogobia gave the directive on Thursday following their arraignment by the Inspector General of Police. The defendants are accused of launching an online campaign to defame Senator Umar, who chairs the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence.

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The other defendants are Daure David, Ishaq Muhammad, Abdulrashid Musa, and Nasiru Abubakar. They are facing an 11-count charge that includes cyberbullying, extortion, conspiracy, and advance fee fraud.

According to the charges, the defendants allegedly conspired in 2025 to cyberstalk the senator. Abdulrahman was specifically accused of posting a video on TikTok and YouTube via the ‘Kibanna Channel,’ alleging that the senator sponsors banditry and calling for an investigation into him. The police claim the allegations were false and intended to damage his reputation and incite fear.

In another charge, Daure David allegedly attempted to obtain N5 million from the senator under the pretext of stopping a planned protest against him

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All five defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges. Prosecution counsel, Victor Okoye, urged the court to remand them in Kuje Correctional Centre pending trial. However, Abdulrahman’s lawyer, Affis Matanmi, applied for bail, arguing that his client is a responsible legal practitioner who has previously honored administrative bail conditions set by the police.

Opposing the bail request, the prosecution argued that Abdulrahman continued engaging in cyberbullying even after being granted bail by the police and therefore should not be given special consideration.

After listening to both sides, Justice Offili-Ajumogobia ordered the defendants to be held at the Force Criminal Investigation Department, Area 10, Abuja, until November 10. The court directed the defense to respond to the prosecution’s counter-affidavit before further consideration of the bail application.

The matter was adjourned until November for continuation of proceedings.

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