AGF Prosecutes Lawyer, Social Media Influencers in Senator Shehu Buba Cyberbullying Case
The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice has formally taken over the prosecution of Abuja-based lawyer, Ahmed Abdulrahman, and four social media influencers accused of cyberbullying Senator Umar Shehu Buba, Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence.
The takeover occurred during Thursday’s proceedings before Justice Rita Offili-Ajumogobia of the Federal High Court, Abuja, where Nueebu Leyii Abueh appeared on behalf of the AGF to announce that the Federal Ministry of Justice would henceforth handle the case.
The development came on the same day the court granted stringent bail conditions to the five defendants. In three separate rulings, Justice Offili-Ajumogobia admitted each defendant to bail in the sum of N1 million with one surety in like sum.
The court mandated that each surety must either be a Grade Level 12 civil servant or a respected individual with landed property in the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC). The property must have a valid Certificate of Occupancy, and the original document is to be deposited with the court.
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Sureties must also swear to an affidavit of means and provide two passport photographs each. The judge warned that failure to meet the conditions would lead to an automatic revocation of bail, and ordered the defendants to remain in custody pending perfection of their bail.
The case was subsequently adjourned to January 26, 2026, for continuation of trial.
Abdulrahman and his co-defendants—Daure David (35), Ishaq Muhammed (25), Abdulrashid Musa (30), and Nasir Abubakar (21)—were initially arraigned by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) on October 30 on an 11-count charge bordering on cyberbullying, cyberstalking, defamation, and attempted fraud through social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter, Tiktok and WhatsApp.
In Count One, the prosecution alleged that the defendants conspired in 2025 to commit cyberstalking against Senator Buba, contrary to Section 27(1)(b) and punishable under Section 21(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 (as amended in 2024).
In another count, Abdulrahman was accused of posting a video on TikTok and YouTube linking the senator to banditry sponsorship — an allegation prosecutors described as false and intended to incite public disorder and instill fear.
Another defendant, Daure David, was charged with attempting to fraudulently obtain N5 million from Senator Buba under the pretext of using the funds to settle individuals planning a protest against him.
All five defendants pleaded not guilty at arraignment and were remanded at the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) before Thursday’s bail ruling.
By PRNigeria
