The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the detention of a lawyer, Ahmed Abdulrahman, and four others accused of cyberbullying Senator Shehu Umar.
Justice Rita Offili Ajumogobia gave the order on Thursday, directing that they remain in police custody until November 10, pending a ruling on their bail applications.
The accused—Ahmed Abdulrahman, Daure David, Ishaq Abubakar Muhammed, Abdulrashid Abdullahi Musa, and Nasiru Usman Abubakar were arraigned by the Inspector General of Police on an 11-count charge. The charges include cyberbullying, blackmail, advance fee fraud, and extortion.
According to court documents, the group allegedly blackmailed Senator Umar, who chairs the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence.
They were accused of conspiring to defame the senator through false online publications and social media posts.
When the charges were read in court, all five defendants pleaded not guilty. Their counsel, Mr. Affis Matanmi, urged the court to grant them bail.
He argued that the offenses were bailable and that the first defendant, being a legal practitioner, would not evade trial or interfere with witnesses.
Matanmi reminded the court that Abdulrahman had earlier been granted administrative bail by the police and had complied with all conditions.
He insisted that as a lawyer, Abdulrahman understood the legal implications of jumping bail.
However, the prosecution counsel, Mr. Victor Okoye, strongly opposed the bail plea.
He told the court that Abdulrahman continued cyberbullying even after his previous release. Okoye claimed the lawyer featured in five of the eleven charges and deserved no special treatment under the law.
Justice Ajumogobia, after hearing both sides, ordered that the defendants be remanded at the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) in Area 10, Abuja.
She also directed the defense counsel to file an additional affidavit addressing the issues raised by the prosecution before the next hearing.
One of the charges alleged that Abdulrahman published a video on TikTok and YouTube accusing Senator Umar of sponsoring banditry.
The video allegedly aimed to tarnish the senator’s image and incite public unrest.
Another defendant, David, reportedly attempted to extort ₦5 million from the lawmaker under the guise of stopping protests against him.
The offences contravene sections of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015 (as amended in 2024). The case was adjourned until November 10 for further hearing.
