The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Senator Buba

  • AGF takes over trial of lawyer, four others charged with cyberbullying Senator Buba

    AGF takes over trial of lawyer, four others charged with cyberbullying Senator Buba

    The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has taken over the prosecution of a lawyer, Ahmed Abdulrahman (41 years), and four others accused of cyberbullying a serving Senator, Umar Shehu Buba, and Chairman, Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence.

    The others, who claimed to be social media influencers, are Daure David (35 years), Ishaq Muhammed (25 years), Abdulrashid Musa (30 years), and Nasir Abubakar (21 years).

    They were arraigned on October 30 before a Federal High Court in Abuja on an 11-count charge, marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/526/2025, filed in the name of the Inspector General of Police (IGP).

    On Thursday, a lawyer from the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation (OAGF), Nueebu Abueh, told the court that he was instructed to assume the prosecution of the case henceforth.

    Abueh said the AGF has taken over the case and has retrieved the case file from the police.

    In three separate rulings, Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia granted each of the defendants bail at N1million and one surety each in the like sum.

    The judge said the surety must be a grade level 12 in the employment of the Federal Government or alternatively, a person of repute, who must have landed property within the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia said the property must have a Certificate of Occupancy (C of O), original copy of which must be deposited with the Registrar of the court.

    Besides, the surety must swear to an affidavit of means and deposit two passport photographs each before being released on bail.

    Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia said the bail would be revoked should the defendants fail to meet the conditions attached.

    She ordered that the defendants should remain in custody pending when they can meet the bail conditions.

    The judge adjourned till January 26, 2026, for trial.

    The defendants are, in count one, alleged to have, sometime in 2025, conspired among themselves “to commit an offence, to wit: cyberstalking against Senator Shehu Buba Umar.”

    The prosecution said the offence is contrary to Section 27(1)(b) and punishable under Section 21(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention etc.) Act 2015 (as amended) 2024.

    In count three, Abdulrahman, the 1st defendant, was alleged to have, sometime in 2025, intentionally sent a video via his TikTok handle with the user name “Kibanna Channel” and his YouTube channel to defame the lawmaker by linking him to sponsorship of banditry with a view to tarnishing his image as a serving Senator.

    The suspect was alleged to have stated that “Senator Umar, a serving Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a sponsor of banditry and called for his investigation, a statement you made by means of computer systems and network knowing same to be false, for the purpose of causing breakdown of law and order and causing the Senator fear of death”.

    The offence, according to the prosecution, is contrary to Section 24(1)(5) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act 2015 (as amended) 2024, among other counts.

    Daure David is, in one of the counts, accused of attempting to collect N5million from Senator Buba under false pretense that the money will be used to settle those planning to protest against him.

  • Lawyer, others to remain in FCID custody for allegedly cyberbullying Senator Buba

    Lawyer, others to remain in FCID custody for allegedly cyberbullying Senator Buba

    The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered a lawyer, Ahmed Abdulrahman, and his co-defendants to remain in the custody of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) of the Force Headquarters.

    Adjourning the case against them on Wednesday, Justice Rita Offili Ajumogobia fixed November 24 to deliver ruling in the lawyer’s bail application and for further hearing on the matter.

    The five defendants are being prosecuted by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) on allegations bordering on cyberbullying Senator Shehu Umar Buba, Chairman, Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence.

    The IGP named Abdulrahman, 41; Daure David, 35; Ishaq Muhammed, 25; Abdulrashid Musa, 30; and Nasir Abubakar, 21, as 1st to 5th defendants, respectively. The charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/526/2025, was dated October 3 and filed by Anthony Egwu on October 6.

    They were arraigned on October 30 on 11-count charge, which also bordered on offences such as cybercrime, defamation, advance fee fraud, among others. They pleaded not guilty to the counts and Justice Ajumogobia ordered their remand at the FCID.

    Read Also: Fireworks in U.S. Congress over Nigeria’s insecurity

    At Wednesday’s hearing, Afeez Matanmi, appearing for Abdulrahman, told the court that the matter was rescheduled for his client’s bail application. He said in compliance with the judge’s directive, he filed a reply on points of law to the prosecution’s counter affidavit.

    Matanmi, who said the application was dated and filed on November 3, prayed the court to grant their prayer. Similarly, A. A. Badmus, lawyer for the 4th defendant, informed the court that they also had a bail application.

    The judge, however, told Badmus that the application cannot be taken because the time was far spent. “I will hear you on Monday,” Justice Ajumogobia said. She then adjourned until November 24 for ruling on the 1st defendant’s bail application as well as for mention.

    In count one, the defendants were alleged to have, sometime in 2025, conspired “to commit an offence, to wit; cyberstalking against Senator Shehu Buba Umar,” contrary to Section 27(1)(b) and punishable under Section 21(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention etc.) Act 2015 (as amended) 2024.

    In count three, Abdulrahman, the 1st defendant, was alleged to have, sometime in 2025, intentionally sent a video via his Tiktok handle with user name “Kibanna Channel” and his Youtube channel to defame the lawmaker by linking him to sponsorship of banditry with a view to tarnishing his image.

    The prosecutor says Abdulrahman’s label of Senator Umar as banditry sponsor was “a statement you made by means of computer systems and network knowing same to be false, for the purpose of causing breakdown of law and order and causing the Senator fear of death.”

    The offence contravenes Section 24(1)(5) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act 2015 (as amended) 2024. In another count, Daure David was accused of attempting to collect N5 million from the Senator under false pretense that the money will be used to settle those planning to protest against him.

  • Senator Buba advocates peace after arrest of defamators

    Senator Buba advocates peace after arrest of defamators

    Senator Shehu Buba has commended security agencies for the arrest of the individuals behind a coordinated defamatory campaign that targeted him and others.

    Buba, Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence, urged Nigerians to remain peaceful, verify information before sharing, and focus on issues affecting society.

    “I have always stood for peace and the welfare of our people. I deny these baseless allegations and will continue to work in favour of Bauchi South,” the lawmaker assured.

    Security agents recently apprehended some social media influencers allegedly behind a smear campaign against political office holders, including Senator Buba.

    The arrests followed an intensive investigation involving the monitoring of social media posts and accounts linked to the spread of manipulated content and hate speech.

    Buba, in particular, was accused of links with banditry. Despite his repeated denials, the attackers continued to malign him across various platforms before the authorities intervened.

    The perpetrators used doctored video clips to produce and distribute fake news aimed at damaging the lawmaker’s reputation both in the legislature and ahead of the 2027 general elections.

    Following their arrest in northern states, some of the influencers admitted to being misled by persons they had trusted. Those granted bail have issued apologies through videos and written statements on their social media pages.

    In a video, one of the influencers, Nasiru Ontop, said: “We made a grave mistake by trusting Kibanna, someone we barely knew. His documents were fake. It wasn’t until our arrest that we began to question his authenticity.

    “His TikTok account has now been deleted. We acted on misinformation and forged documents, and for that, we apologise to Senator Shehu Umar Buba and everyone affected,” he added.

    Abdulrashid Abdullahi Kano, who operated under a Facebook page ‘Vanguard Hausa,’ also issued a statement: “We have confirmed that the video accusing Senator Shehu Buba Umar is false and malicious.

    “It was fabricated by enemies of peace to tarnish his image. Senator Buba has consistently promoted peace and reconciliation, working with clerics and community leaders to resolve conflicts in Bauchi South.”

  • Senator Buba recommends non-kinetic approach to tackle insecurity

    Senator Buba recommends non-kinetic approach to tackle insecurity

    Senator Shehu Umar Buba, Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence, has called for a paradigm shift in how Nigeria tackles conflict, suggesting the adoption of a non-kinetic approach alongside military responses.

    The lawmaker, who made the recommendation in a media chat, emphasised that while government forces’ operations may silence conflict temporarily, only dialogue, reconciliation, and socio-economic renewal can build lasting peace.

    Buba, who represents Bauchi South Senatorial District, is championing strategies rooted in dialogue and peacebuilding as more effective alternatives to force. His advocacy is not only political but also academic, drawing from years of research in conflict management and peace studies.

    “My main objective is to translate my academic research into tangible policy,” he said. “Insecurity cannot be defeated by force alone. Diplomacy, community engagement, and reintegration strategies are indispensable tools for stability. Sometimes, to achieve peace, you must engage directly or indirectly with the enemy. That’s not weakness—it’s wisdom.”

    Buba’s nuanced analysis links insecurity to multiple drivers: insurgency to mishandled grievances, banditry to unregulated mining and climate change, and ethno-religious conflicts to unchecked preaching and land disputes. This complexity, he argues, explains why a purely military response often escalates rather than resolves violence.

    Beyond national advocacy, the senator has initiated local interventions in Bauchi, including food distribution, fertilizer support, and the establishment of skill acquisition centres. He laments the collapse of once-thriving industries like the Galambi cattle ranch and Zaki Flour Company, noting that reviving them is critical to addressing hunger and unemployment—factors that fuel insecurity.

    Buba’s push for non-kinetic strategies has attracted criticism, with detractors accusing him of sympathizing with bandits. He said such claims are politically motivated, insisting his focus remains on evidence-based solutions. Despite mounting calls to contest the governorship election in 2027, Buba’s immediate priority is his senatorial mandate.

    Read Also: Bauchi: Senator Buba flags off road construction in Zaranda town

    “We should set aside political differences and work together for a better Nigeria,” the legislator urged. “My mission is national development, and I believe we should all strive for the same goal—whether in government or in our private lives.”

    Buba has repeatedly pressed for complementing military action with dialogue. He points to global evidence showing that negotiations succeed in over 90 percent of cases, including in Nigeria—such as the release of some kidnapped Chibok schoolgirls in 2017, and freedom of thousands of abductees coordinated by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) led Nuhu Ribadu.

    Armed with a Master’s degree in Peace Studies and Conflict Management, and currently pursuing a PhD, Senator Buba has consistently argued that reintegration and community-driven initiatives offer more durable solutions than the barrel of a gun.

    Buba’s master’s dissertation on the farmer-herder crisis in Plateau State was so practical that the state government adopted its recommendations. His ongoing doctoral research—supervised by Professors Elias N. Lamle and Sule Raphael—explores the “Drivers and Evolution of Banditry in Zamfara and Kaduna States,” employing an inclusive methodology that engages victims, communities, and even perpetrators.