Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the remand of a retired military officer, Garba Gololo, at the Kuje Correctional Centre following his arraignment on a seven-count charge bordering on alleged cyberstalking, defamation, and incitement. The charges, filed by the Inspector‑General of Police, stem from a viral video in which Gololo allegedly claimed that Senate President Godswill Akpabio said northerners must vote for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 election or risk being expelled from Nigeria. Justice Rita Ofili‑Ajumogobia gave the remand order on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, after Gololo pleaded not guilty to all counts. The court adjourned the matter until June 15, 2026, for the hearing of Gololo’s bail application and ordered that he remain in custody pending the hearing.
Gololo was arraigned on allegations that a viral video and Facebook posts attributed to him violated provisions of the Cybercrimes Act and the Penal Code. The charges arose from a video in which Gololo accused Akpabio of making divisive remarks against Northerners ahead of the 2027 general elections. In the video, which circulated widely on social media, Gololo claimed that Akpabio said Northerners must vote for President Bola Tinubu in 2027 or leave Nigeria. Gololo also accused Akpabio of disrespecting Northern Nigerians, questioned the Senate President’s political influence in the 2023 election, and insisted that Northerners had the constitutional right to support any candidate of their choice in future elections. He further launched personal attacks against Akpabio, accusing him of corruption and describing him as “the worst Senate President” and “the most corrupt Senate President.”
However, the office of the Senate President swiftly denied the allegations. In a statement issued on May 15, 2026, by the Special Adviser to the Senate President on Diaspora and Non‑Governmental Organisations, Jibril Lawal Tafida, Akpabio’s office described the claim as false, malicious, and capable of creating unnecessary tension. “We wish to state clearly and unequivocally that the President of the Senate never made such a statement. This claim is completely false, malicious, and a deliberate attempt to mislead the public,” the statement read. The Senate Presidency also called on security agencies to investigate the origin of the allegation and compel Gololo to provide evidence of where and when Akpabio allegedly made the statement.
The Northern Democratic Front (NDF) also petitioned the Inspector‑General of Police, seeking Gololo’s arrest and investigation over what it described as false and defamatory remarks against the Senate President. The group accused Gololo of using vulgar and offensive language, which it said was disrespectful to the office of the nation’s number‑three citizen and capable of inciting public disorder. The NDF urged the police to prosecute Gololo for alleged criminal defamation, spreading false information, and conduct likely to disturb public peace.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army has distanced itself from Gololo, denying reports that he is a retired general. In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Army said Gololo was never a member of the Nigerian Army, either as a serving or retired personnel. “The Nigerian Army wishes to categorically state that the said individual is neither a serving nor retired personnel of the Nigerian Army and has never at any time served in the Nigerian Army in any capacity whatsoever,” the statement read. The Army described the portrayal of Gololo as a retired general as false, misleading, and capable of creating wrong impressions in the minds of the public. It urged media organisations to exercise due diligence in verifying information relating to the Armed Forces.
Gololo was represented in court by his counsel, Mohammed Habu, during the proceedings. The Inspector‑General of Police filed the charges, alleging that Gololo’s actions violated the Cybercrimes Act and the Penal Code. As of the time of this report, Gololo remains in Kuje Correctional Centre pending the hearing of his bail application on June 15, 2026. The case has sparked widespread debate over freedom of speech, political dissent, and the limits of criticism of public officials in Nigeria, especially as the country prepares for the 2027 general elections.
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