A Federal High Court in Abuja has imposed stringent bail conditions on Ahmed Abdulrahman, a lawyer accused of cyberbullying Senator Umar Shehu Buba. Justice Rita Offili Ajumogobia ordered that Abdulrahman must produce two sureties with landed property in the Federal Capital Territory, complete with Certificates of Occupancy, which must be deposited with the court registrar. The sureties must also surrender their international passports throughout the trial. Abdulrahman was granted bail in the sum of N5 million and two sureties in the like sum, but he will remain in custody until the bail conditions are met.
Abdulrahman and four others are facing prosecution by the Inspector-General of Police on allegations of cyberbullying, cybercrime, defamation, and advance fee fraud. The charges, filed on October 6, allege that the defendants conspired to commit these offenses against Senator Buba, Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence. The defendants pleaded not guilty to the 11-count charge and were remanded at the Force Criminal Investigation Department.
The charges include conspiracy to commit cyberstalking, contrary to the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015. Abdulrahman is specifically accused of intentionally sending a defamatory video via his social media handles, linking Senator Buba to sponsorship of banditry. Another defendant, Daure David, is accused of attempting to collect N5 million from Senator Buba under false pretenses.
The case has been adjourned to December 9, 2025, for further mention. The prosecution is seeking to prove that the defendants’ actions were intended to cause harm to Senator Buba’s reputation and safety. The court’s decision to impose stringent bail conditions reflects the seriousness with which cyberbullying and related offenses are being treated in Nigeria. As the case progresses, it will be important to monitor how the court balances the rights of the defendants with the need to protect individuals from online harassment and defamation.
