Ghali Isma’il, a social media influencer, has been remanded at the Keffi Correctional Centre by a Chief Magistrate Court in Abuja.
This follows a viral TikTok video he uploaded falsely announcing the death of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Details of the Charges
Isma’il, 29, of Jogana village, Gezawa LGA, Kano State, was arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) after posting the video on his TikTok handle, @bola_asiwaju.
He alleged that President Tinubu had died after a serious illness.
He faces a two-count charge:
1. Count One: Publication of false news with intent to cause offense against public peace.
This charge states that on or about July 20, 2025, Isma'il published false information by claiming to have reliably confirmed from official sources that President Tinubu was critically ill from poisoning.
This action was done with the intent to cause public alarm and disturb public peace, an offense punishable under Section 418 of the Penal Code Act.
2. Count Two: Inciting Disaffection to the Government. This count alleges that on or about the same date, Isma'il published false information with the intent to bring contempt or incite feelings of disaffection against the person of the President. This is punishable under Section 416 of the Penal Code Act.
Court Proceedings and Remand
The presiding judge, Ekpeyong Iyang, denied the defendant's application for bail after hearing arguments from both the DSS and Isma’il's counsel. Isma’il was ordered to be remanded in Keffi Correctional Centre.
The case has been adjourned until August 19.
Context of Rising Misinformation
Isma’il’s arraignment highlights a growing concern over misinformation.
This incident follows closely on the heels of:
Professor Farooq Kperogi, a journalism professor at Kennesaw State University in the United States, apologizing for falsely reporting that late President Muhammadu Buhari and his wife, Aisha, were divorced at the time of his death.
Simon Ekpa, a Biafran agitator, currently being prosecuted by Finnish authorities for terrorism. Prosecutors are seeking a six-year prison sentence, arguing his online posts constitute terrorism under Finnish law, despite Ekpa's claim that they were merely "content."
Nnamdi Kanu, IPOB leader, stating in a Federal High Court in Abuja last week that his online broadcasts, which prosecutors link to numerous deaths, were a "joke."