The Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned a supporter of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Mubarak Abdullahi (aka Sardaunan Samari), for allegedly circulating a fake document purportedly written by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the President of the United States.
Abdullahi was arrested on 28 September for sharing the document on his Facebook page with the caption “ATIKU IS COMING.” He admitted to investigators that he shared the fake letter and apologised for his actions. However, the DSS said the contrition was not enough.
The suspect was brought before Chief Magistrate Court No. 10, Kabala Doki, Kaduna, which ordered his remand at the Nigerian Correctional Centre, Kaduna. The agency has filed a three-count charge bordering on cybercrime and defamation against him at the Federal High Court, Kaduna. A date for his formal arraignment has not yet been fixed.
The DSS, in a statement, said it continues to demonstrate its capacity to trace those engaged in circulating misleading information in cyberspace. The arrest and arraignment underscore the agency’s warning that it will pursue anyone who spreads false information, particularly documents attributed to the President.