A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered lawyer Ahmed Abdulrahman and four co-defendants to remain in the custody of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) of the Force Headquarters, pending a ruling on Abdulrahman’s bail application. The court set November 24, 2025, for the ruling.

Justice Rita Offili Ajumogobia adjourned the case to specifically address the bail application and continue the hearing of the substantive charges.

The five defendants are facing prosecution by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) over allegations of cyberbullying Senator Shehu Umar, chairman of the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence.

The IGP named the defendants as:

• Ahmed Abdulrahman (41) – 1st defendant
• Daure David (35) – 2nd defendant
• Ishaq Muhammed (25) – 3rd defendant
• Abdulrashid Musa (30) – 4th defendant
• Nasir Abubakar (21) – 5th defendant

The case, FHC/ABJ/CR/526/2025, was filed on October 6, 2025, and the defendants were arraigned on October 30 on an 11-count charge that includes cybercrime, defamation, and advance fee fraud. They pleaded not guilty to all counts, and Justice Ajumogobia ordered their remand at the FCID.

During proceedings on Wednesday, Afeez Matanmi, counsel for Abdulrahman, said a reply had been filed on points of law in response to the prosecution’s counter-affidavit, seeking bail for his client. Similarly, A.A. Badmus, counsel for the 4th defendant, indicated that a bail application was pending. However, the judge noted that the matter could not be taken immediately due to procedural timing, promising to hear it on Monday.

Among the allegations:

• The defendants allegedly conspired in 2025 to cyberstalk Senator Umar, an offence under Section 27(1)(b) and punishable under Section 21(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015 (as amended 2024).
• Abdulrahman was accused of sharing a video via his TikTok handle, “Kibanna Channel”, and his YouTube channel, claiming that Senator Umar sponsored banditry. The act allegedly aimed to defame the senator, cause fear, and disrupt law and order, contrary to Section 24(1)(5) of the Cybercrimes Act.
• Daure David allegedly attempted to collect N5 million from the senator under the false pretense of using the funds to pay individuals planning to protest against him.

The court will reconvene on November 24 to rule on Abdulrahman’s bail application and continue the hearing of the substantive charges.