Justice Rita Offili Ajumogobia of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has ordered that lawyer Ahmed Abdulrahman and four others be remanded at the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), Area 10, Abuja, until November 10.
This follows their arraignment on charges of cyberbullying Senator Shehu Baba Umar.
The defendants, Ahmed Abdulrahman, Daure David, Ishaq Abubakar Muhammed, Abdulrashid Abdullahi Musa, and Nasiru Usman Abubakar, were charged by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) on an 11-count charge including cyberbullying, advance fee fraud, and extortion.
When the charges were read, all five defendants pleaded not guilty.
Counsel for the prosecution, Victor Okoye, requested a trial date and urged that the defendants be remanded at Kuje Prison, Abuja.
Abdulrahman’s lawyer, Affis Matanmi, applied for bail, highlighting that his client is a Supreme Court legal practitioner and would not interfere with the investigation or witnesses.
He also noted that the police had previously granted Abdulrahman administrative bail, which he did not violate.
However, the prosecution opposed bail, arguing that the lawyer had allegedly engaged in additional cyberbullying cases and played a major role in five of the eleven charges.
Okoye emphasized that no legal practitioner should receive special treatment under the law for criminal offenses.
After considering both sides, Justice Ajumogobia ordered the defendants to remain at the Force CID until November 10, allowing Abdulrahman’s lawyer time to file a further affidavit and reply to the prosecution’s counter-affidavit.
In count one, the defendants were accused of conspiring to commit cyberstalking against Senator Umar in 2025, contrary to Section 27(1)(b) and punishable under Section 21(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015 (as amended 2024).
In count three, Abdulrahman allegedly sent a video via his TikTok handle “Kibanna Channel” and YouTube to defame the senator by linking him to sponsorship of banditry.
The act was said to be intended to cause fear and disrupt law and order, violating Section 24(1)(5) of the same Act.
Daure David was accused of attempting to extort N5 million from Senator Umar under the pretense that the money would be used to pay protesters.
Senator Umar, Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence, had earlier commended security agencies for arresting those behind a coordinated defamatory campaign targeting him.
He urged Nigerians to remain peaceful, verify information before sharing, and focus on societal issues.
“I have always stood for peace and the welfare of our people. I deny these baseless allegations and will continue to work for Bauchi South,” the senator stated.
