TikToker Who Claimed Tinubu Was Poisoned, Critically Ill, Remanded in Keffi Prison

By our Correspondent

A Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Abuja on Friday ordered the remand of social media influencer, Ghali Isma’il, at the Keffi Correctional Centre over a viral video in which he falsely claimed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was poisoned and critically ill.

Isma’il, who posted the misleading content on his TikTok handle @bola_asiwaju, was arrested by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) following the circulation of the videos. His claims were widely debunked, especially given President Tinubu’s public appearances, including his presence at Thursday’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The defendant is facing a two-count charge. The first, titled “Publication of False News with Intent to Offend Public Peace,” states:

> “That you, Ghali Ismail, Male, twenty-nine (29) years of Jogana village, Gezawa LGA, Kano State, on or about the 20th Day of July, 2025 and within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, did publish false information by uploading a video clip on your verified TikTok handle (‘bola-asiwaju’) wherein you falsely claimed that you reliably confirmed from official sources that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was critically ill, having been poisoned through his meal, with intent to cause public alarm and disturb public peace.
You thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 418 of the Penal Code Act, Cap P3, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.”

The second charge, titled “Inciting Disaffection to the Government,” reads:

> “That you, Ghali Ismail, Male, twenty-nine (29) years, of Jogana village, Gezawa LGA, Kano State, on or about the 20th Day of July, 2025 and within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, did publish false information by uploading a video clip on your verified TikTok handle (‘bola-asiwaju’) wherein you falsely claimed that you reliably confirmed from official sources that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was critically ill, having been poisoned through his meal, with intent to bring contempt or incite feelings of disaffection against the person of the President. You thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 416 of the Penal Code Act, Cap P3, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.”

Following submissions by the counsels representing the DSS and the defendant, the presiding judge, Ekpeyong Iyang, denied bail and ordered that Isma’il be remanded in Keffi Correctional Centre.

The case has been adjourned to August 19 for further hearing.

Additional reports from Vanguard