A federal court has ordered that a lawyer and four associates be remanded in custody pending further trial for alleged cyber-bullying of a serving senator. The tribunal issued the order after hearing charges of harassment, online defamation and the use of social media to intimidate a legislator.
The lawyer, whose name was mentioned as Mr X (name withheld), is accused of coordinating a campaign of harassment via multiple social media accounts, posting threatening messages and sharing manipulated images. The charges were brought by the senator’s legal team, which claims the acts created fear and undermined the senator’s reputation.
According to court documents, the five suspects were arrested by the police cyber-crime unit following a petition by the senator’s office. The arraignment revealed one count of intimidation, two counts of publication of injurious falsehood, and one count of using network services to commit an offence.
The magistrate directed the accused to be remanded in a federal correctional facility while the prosecution finalises full disclosure to the defence, setting the next hearing for December 10 2025.
During the proceedings, the lawyer pleaded not guilty, while the four others remained silent. The senator’s counsel described the action as necessary to protect democratic processes and deter online harassment of public figures.
This case highlights growing legal scrutiny of digital conduct and social media regulation in Nigeria. Legal practitioners warn that the outcome may set precedent for future cyber-bullying litigation involving political actors.
