Court Sends TikToker To Prison Over False Death Claim Of President Tinubu

A Chief Magistrate Court in Abuja presided over by Magistrate Ekpeyong Iyang has ordered the remand of social media influencer, Ghali Isma’il, at the Keffi Correctional Centre following his viral TikTok video falsely announcing the death of President Bola Tinubu, reports Business Today NG.
Recall that Isma’il, 29, was arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) after he posted the video on his verified TikTok handle, @bola_asiwaju, alleging that the President had died from poisoning. The video quickly circulated online, sparking alarm and public reaction.
Isma’il’s arraignment follows recent high-profile misinformation cases, including a retracted report by U.S.-based journalism professor Farooq Kperogi, who falsely claimed former President Muhammadu Buhari was divorced at the time of his death.
A security expert, Zagzola Makama , who made this disclosure in his x handle page said that the defendant, a native of Jogana Village in Gezawa Local Government Area of Kano State, was arraigned on a two-count charge relating to publication of false information and incitement of disaffection against the government.
The first charge, “Publication of false news with intent to cause offence against public peace,” alleged that Isma’il knowingly spread unverified information on July 20, 2025, claiming President Tinubu was critically ill and had died. Prosecutors say this was intended to disturb public order, an offence punishable under Section 418 of the Penal Code Act.
The second charge, “Inciting disaffection to the government,” accused Isma’il of attempting to stir contempt and public disaffection towards the President through deliberate misinformation — a violation of Section 416 of the Penal Code.
Magistrate Iyang denied the bail application submitted by the defence and ordered the accused to be held in custody until the next hearing, scheduled for August 19.
Four Year –old Boy, One Other Die After Falling Into Abandoned Well In Kano
The Kano State Fire Service has confirmed that at least two people died and one survived with injuries, after they fell into an abandoned well at Unguwar Malamin Kurunsumau in Kura Local Government Area of the state, reports Business Today NG
The Kano State Fire Service Public Relations Officer, ACFO Saminu Yusif Abdullahi, who confirmed the tragic incident through a statement , said it occurred on Thursday, July 24, 2025, around 6:50 p.m
“The fire service received a distress call from Zakariya Adamu, who reported that a four-year-old boy, Abubakar Ahmad, had accidentally fallen into the old, unused well, which was previously used for pumping refuse.
“In an attempt to save the boy, a 22-year-old man, Abubakar Muhammad, jumped into the well but was also trapped. Another man, Jibrin Muhammad, 30, also entered the well in a rescue attempt but was similarly trapped”.
Abdullahi added further in the statement that rescue teams from the state fire service headquarters were dispatched to the scene. While the three victims were retrieved, two were found unconscious and later confirmed dead. Only Abubakar Muhammad survived.
The injured victim, according to the state fire service image-maker, was taken to the Kura LGA Specialist Hospital for medical attention, while the bodies of the other two were handed over to Police at Kura Police Division.