FEATURED
Fake Tinubu Letter to Trump: DSS Arraigns Mubarak Abdullahi in Kaduna Court
The Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned a Kaduna-based man, Mubarak Abdullahi, for allegedly circulating a fake letter purportedly written by President Bola Tinubu to the President of the United States.
Abdullahi, also known as Sardaunan Samari, is facing a three-count charge bordering on cybercrime and defamation.
The development was disclosed by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, in a post on X on Monday night.
Onanuga said the suspect was arrested on September 28 for allegedly sharing the document on his Facebook page with the caption, “ATIKU IS COMING.”
He stated that Abdullahi had been arraigned before Chief Magistrate Court No. 10, Kabala Doki, Kaduna, while the DSS has also filed a three-count charge against him at the Federal High Court in Kaduna.
According to Onanuga, the suspect admitted during investigation that he shared the document and tendered an apology, but the agency proceeded with prosecution. The court subsequently ordered his remand at the Nigerian Correctional Centre in Kaduna.
Onanuga added that the DSS would continue to track individuals involved in circulating misleading information online.
However, the arrest has drawn criticism from human rights activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, who accused the DSS of being used to suppress dissent.
In a post on X on Tuesday, Sowore condemned the action, questioning why a national security agency was deployed over a social media post.
He accused the Tinubu administration and the All Progressives Congress (APC) of using state institutions to silence critics rather than allowing free expression.
“Arresting a hapless citizen for posting a document online sad!” Sowore wrote, warning that those behind the action would eventually be held accountable.
As at the time of filing this report, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and his media aide, Phrank Shaibu, have not publicly commented on the development.
