Social Media Critic Gololo Gets N5M Bail in Akpabio Defamation Trial

An Abuja Federal High Court has granted bail to Garus Gololo, a prominent social media commentator and politician, who is currently facing charges related to cybercrime and the alleged defamation of Senate President Godswill Akpabio. On Thursday, the court set Gololo's bail at N5 million, requiring one surety who must be a Grade Level 12 officer within the Federal Civil Service. Following this decision, the case was adjourned until September 22, 2026, for further proceedings.

The Nigeria Police Force brought a seven-count charge against Gololo, encompassing allegations of cybercrime and the purported defamation of the Senate President. Previously, after pleading not guilty to the charges, which include cyberstalking, defamation, and incitement, the social media personality had been remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre by the Federal High Court.

The Inspector-General of Police initiated the prosecution, stemming from a widely circulated video and Facebook posts. In these posts, Gololo allegedly asserted that Senator Akpabio had declared that people from the northern region must back President Bola Tinubu's re-election bid in 2027 or face expulsion from Nigeria. Furthermore, the allegations claim Gololo quoted Akpabio as stating, "with or without the North, Tinubu would win."

The Office of the Senate President vehemently denied these alleged remarks, labeling them as "completely false, malicious, and deliberately intended to mislead the public and incite tension." An earlier statement from the office stressed that the accusation had "no basis in fact" and urged the Nigerian public to disregard it. It also called upon security agencies to investigate and apprehend Gololo, demanding that he furnish proof to substantiate his claims and specify the time and place the alleged statement was made.

Malam Jibril Lawal Tafida, the Special Adviser to the Senate President on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations, signed the statement. It further accused Gololo of employing offensive language against Akpabio and alleged that he had consistently targeted the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Tinubu for political motives. The Senate President's office appealed to Nigerians, especially stakeholders in Northern Nigeria, to reject what it described as deceptive and inflammatory narratives that could jeopardize national unity.

Despite the accusations, Gololo maintained his innocence, pleading not guilty to all seven counts during his initial arraignment before Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia. His legal representation throughout the proceedings was handled by his counsel, Mohammed Habu.

Separately, in May, the Nigerian Army disassociated itself from Gololo. The Army clarified that he was neither a serving nor retired officer and had never been affiliated with the institution in any capacity. This clarification came after reports identified Gololo as a "retired Major General" who was reportedly arrested at Grand Square Supermarket in Abuja following his criticism of Senate President Akpabio concerning remarks related to the 2027 presidential election. In an official release, the Nigerian Army refuted the claims of Gololo being a retired Army General, asserting that such reports were inaccurate and misleading.