Influencer Remanded Over False Claim on Tinubu’s Health

Abuja Chief Magistrate Court has ordered the remand of a 29-year-old social media influencer, Ghali Isma’il, at the Keffi Correctional Centre for allegedly spreading fake news about President Bola Tinubu’s health.

Isma’il, who hails from Jogana village in Gezawa Local Government Area of Kano State, was arraigned on Friday on a two-count charge of publishing false information and inciting disaffection against the government.

He was arrested by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) following a video he posted on his verified TikTok account, @bola_asiwaju, in which he falsely claimed that President Tinubu had died from food poisoning.

One of the charges, titled “Publication of False News with Intent to Cause Offence Against Public Peace”, stated that the accused intentionally published false content to stir panic and unrest by asserting that the president was critically ill after being poisoned through his meal.

The charge is punishable under Section 418 of the Penal Code Act.

The second charge, “Inciting Disaffection to the Government”, alleged that Isma’il made the post to bring the president into disrepute and to provoke contempt or disloyalty against the government an offence punishable under Section 416 of the same law.

Trial Magistrate Ekpeyong Iyang rejected the defendant’s bail application, ordering that he be held in custody at the Keffi Correctional Centre pending further hearing. The case has been adjourned to August 19, 2025.

Isma’il’s arraignment follows closely on the heels of a public apology issued by US-based journalism professor, Farooq Kperogi, who recently admitted to falsely claiming that former President Muhammadu Buhari and his wife, Aisha, were divorced at the time of his death.

The Federal Government has in recent times intensified its crackdown on the spread of misinformation online, particularly on matters concerning national leadership and public safety.