Court Remands Lawyer, Four Others Over Cyber Stalking and Extortion of Senator Shehu Buba
A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the remand of a legal practitioner, Ahmed Abdulrahman, and four co-defendants at the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) until November 10, following their arraignment on an 11-count charge bordering on cyber bullying, advance fee fraud, and extortion.
The arraignment, instituted by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), targets the five individuals for allegedly blackmailing the Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence, Senator Shehu Umar Buba.
The other defendants are Daure David, Ishaq Abubakar Muhammed, Abdulrashid Abdullahi Musa, and Nasiru Usman Abubakar. They all pleaded not guilty when the charges were read before Justice Rita Offili Ajumogobia on Thursday.
Allegations of Defamation and Extortion
The charges detail a conspiracy to commit cyberstalking against the Senator. Specifically, in one count, the lawyer, Abdulrahman, was alleged to have intentionally sent a video via his TikTok handle (“Kibanna Channel”) and YouTube channel to defame the lawmaker.
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The video allegedly linked Senator Buba to the sponsorship of banditry, calling for his investigation. The prosecution noted the statement was made “by means of computer systems and network knowing same to be false, for the purpose of causing breakdown of law and order and causing the Senator fear of death.” This offence is contrary to Section 24(1)(5) of the Cybercrimes Act 2015 (as amended) 2024.
In another count, one of the co-defendants, Daure David, was accused of attempting to extort ₦5 million from Senator Buba under the false pretense that the money would be used to settle those planning to protest against him.
Prosecution Opposes Bail, Citing Repeat Offenses
The prosecution counsel, Victor Okoye, vehemently opposed the defense’s bail application, informing the court that shortly after the lawyer was admitted to an administrative bail by the police, he allegedly engaged in two other cyber bullying incidents. Okoye argued that the legal practitioner did not deserve any preferential or special treatment, as the law confers no special status on any legal practitioner involved in criminality.
Defense counsel, Affis Matanmi, had moved for bail, reminding the court that his client, as a lawyer of the Supreme Court, had previously honored the administrative bail granted by the police and would not interfere with the investigation.
After hearing arguments from both sides, Justice Ajumogobia ordered that the defendants be remanded at the FCID till November 10. The adjournment is to allow the lawyer’s counsel to file a further affidavit and a reply to the prosecution’s counter-affidavit regarding the grave allegations before the court.
The matter was subsequently adjourned till November 10 for further hearing.
By PRNigeria
