A 29-year-old TikTok content creator, Ghali Isma’il, has been remanded at the Keffi Correctional Centre by an Abuja Chief Magistrate Court for allegedly spreading false news about President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Isma’il, from Jogana village in Gezawa Local Government Area of Kano State, was arrested by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) after posting videos on his verified TikTok account, @bola_asiwaju, falsely claiming that President Tinubu had died following a poisoning incident.
According to the two-count charge filed against him, Isma’il is accused of “publication of false news with intent to offend public peace” and “inciting disaffection against the government.” The charges fall under Sections 418 and 416 of the Penal Code Act, respectively.
Count one reads:
“That you, Ghali Ismail, Male, twenty-nine (29) years, of Jogana village, Gezawa LGA, Kano State, on or about the 20th day of July, 2025, and within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, did publish false information by uploading a video clip on your verified TikTok handle (‘bola-asiwaju’) wherein you falsely claimed that you reliably confirmed from official sources that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was critically ill, having been poisoned through his meal, with intent to cause public alarm and disturb public peace.”
“You thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 418 of the Penal Code Act, Cap P3, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.”
Count two states that Isma’il published the same claim “with intent to bring contempt or incite feelings of disaffection against the person of the President.”
The DSS argued in court that the video was intended to stir public unrest and discredit the president.
Magistrate Ekpeyong Iyang denied Isma’il’s bail application and ordered his remand in prison custody until the next hearing on August 19.
Isma’il’s arraignment comes shortly after US-based journalism professor Farooq Kperogi issued an apology for previously publishing a false claim that former President Muhammadu Buhari and his wife, Aisha, were divorced before Buhari’s death.
