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, who hails from Jogana village in Gezawa Local Government Area of Kano State, was arrested by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) following a video posted on his verified TikTok handle @bola_asiwaju, where he falsely claimed that President Tinubu had died from poisoning.
The DSS charged him with two serious offences: “publication of false news with intent to offend public peace” and “inciting disaffection against the government.” Both charges fall under Sections 418 and 416 of the Penal Code Act and are considered grave threats to national stability.
Count one of the charge states: “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 alleges that Ghali Isma’il made the publication with “intent to bring contempt or incite feelings of disaffection against the person of the President.”
The DSS maintained that Isma’il’s post was an attempt to stir unrest and provoke distrust in government institutions, especially at a time of heightened political sensitivity.
Chief Magistrate Ekpeyong Iyang denied Isma’il’s request for bail, stating the seriousness of the charges warranted his remand at the Keffi Correctional Centre until the next court sitting scheduled for August 19, 2025.
Isma’il’s arraignment follows closely on the heels of a separate controversy involving US-based professor and columnist Farooq Kperogi, who recently retracted and apologized for his false publication alleging that former President Muhammadu Buhari and his wife, Aisha, had divorced before his passing.