DSS Arraigns Kaduna Resident Mubarak Abdullahi Over Alleged Fake Tinubu Letter, Cybercrime and Defamation Charges
The Department of State Services (DSS) has filed a three-count charge bordering on alleged cybercrime and defamation against a Kaduna resident accused of circulating a fake letter purportedly written by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the President of the United States.
The suspect, Mubarak Abdullahi, popularly known as Sardaunan Samari, was arrested on September 28 after allegedly sharing the document on his Facebook page with the caption, “ATIKU IS COMING.”
Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Information and Strategy, disclosed the development in a post on X late Monday. He said Abdullahi had been arraigned before Chief Magistrate’s Court No. 10 in Kabala Doki, Kaduna.
According to Onanuga, the suspect is a supporter of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and allegedly shared the document despite it being fake. He added that Abdullahi admitted to investigators that he posted the document and apologised for his actions.
However, the apology did not prevent further legal action. Onanuga stated that the court ordered the suspect to be remanded at the Nigerian Correctional Centre in Kaduna.
He further disclosed that the DSS had filed a three-count charge against Abdullahi at the Federal High Court in Kaduna, alleging cybercrime and defamation.
Onanuga also maintained that the security agency would continue identifying individuals involved in spreading what he described as misleading information online.
Meanwhile, human rights activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has criticised the arrest, accusing the DSS of being used to suppress dissenting voices.
In a post on X on Tuesday, Sowore questioned why a national security agency was involved in the case, describing the arrest as an attempt to silence a citizen over an online publication.
He criticised the Tinubu administration and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), arguing that the arrest reflected an effort to restrict criticism of the government.
Sowore also warned that public officials would eventually be held accountable for their actions, insisting that the arrest was unjustified.
As of the time of reporting, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and his media aide, Phrank Shaibu, had not publicly commented on the development.
