A magistrate court in Nasarawa State has ordered the remand of a TikTok content creator, identified as Miss Okoye Precious, for allegedly publishing a false video claiming the death of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The defendant was arraigned on Friday, July 25, before the Chief Magistrate Court in Lafia, following her arrest by security operatives after a video surfaced on TikTok purporting that the President had passed away. The prosecution argued that the video was not only false but posed a potential threat to national peace and public order.
According to court documents, Okoye Precious is facing charges under Section 24 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, which prohibits the spread of false information through electronic means, as well as other relevant provisions of the Nigerian Criminal Code.
During the hearing, the prosecution urged the court to deny bail, stating that the accused might interfere with ongoing investigations or commit a similar offense if released. The magistrate granted the application and ordered that the defendant be remanded at the Lafia Correctional Centre until the next adjourned date.
In her initial response to the charges, the accused pleaded not guilty. However, no formal bail application has been filed by her legal team as of press time.
This development has sparked conversations across social media about the boundaries of free speech and misinformation in the digital space. Government officials have reiterated the need for responsible use of online platforms, especially when discussing national leaders or sensitive matters.
Spokesperson for the Nigeria Police Force in Nasarawa, ASP Suleiman Garba, said the arrest was part of broader efforts to clamp down on harmful digital content. “Freedom of expression does not extend to spreading unverified or dangerous claims, particularly those that could incite panic or unrest,” he stated.
Legal experts caution that while the right to express opinions is protected, the law provides clear consequences for knowingly sharing false information that can mislead the public or destabilize governance.