The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday ordered the remand of a lawyer, Ahmed Abdulrahman, and four others accused of cyberbullying and attempting to extort a serving senator, Shehu Umar.
Justice Rita Offili-Ajumogobia directed that the accused persons be held at the Force Criminal Investigation Department, Area 10, Abuja, until November 10, pending the court’s ruling on their bail request.
Abdulrahman is standing trial alongside Daure David, Ishaq Abubakar Mohammed, Abdulrashid Abdullahi Musa, and Nasiru Usman Abubakar. The Inspector-General of Police is prosecuting the matter.
They were arraigned on an 11-count charge bordering on cyberbullying, conspiracy, extortion, and advance fee fraud. The prosecution alleged that the defendants blackmailed Senator Umar, Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence, and attempted to fraudulently obtain money from him.
According to the charge, Abdulrahman, using his TikTok account “Kibanna Channel” and YouTube platform, allegedly posted videos accusing the senator of sponsoring banditry and calling for his investigation — allegations the police described as false and capable of causing public disorder.
Another defendant, David, was accused of attempting to obtain N5 million from the senator under the guise of preventing a planned protest against him.
All defendants pleaded not guilty.
Defence counsel, Affis Matanmi, urged the court to grant bail, arguing that the offences were bailable and that Abdulrahman, a lawyer and officer of the Supreme Court, understood the consequences of absconding.
He told the court that the police had previously granted administrative bail to Abdulrahman, insisting that none of the defendants would interfere with witnesses or the trial.
“My clients are responsible citizens. The first defendant is a legal practitioner who is aware of the weight of these proceedings. They will not abscond,” Matanmi argued.
But prosecuting counsel, Victor Okoye, opposed the bail request, insisting the defendants pose a risk to public peace and would likely continue their alleged activities if released.
Okoye told the court that Abdulrahman was already involved in two other cyberbullying matters shortly after he was earlier granted police bail.
“The fact that the first defendant is a lawyer does not entitle him to special treatment. The law does not grant immunity to legal practitioners when they engage in criminal acts,” Okoye submitted.
After hearing both sides, Justice Offili-Ajumogobia ordered the defendants’ remand and directed the defence to file additional affidavits addressing allegations raised in the prosecution’s counter-affidavit.
The judge adjourned the case to November 10 for further hearing on the bail application.
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