Senator Shehu Buba petitions IGP over alleged cyberstalking, defamation by Bauchi APC governorship candidate
By Zagazola Makama
The Senator representing Bauchi South Senatorial District, Sen. Shehu Buba Umar, has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), alleging cyberstalking, criminal defamation, incitement and conduct capable of disturbing public peace against the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Bauchi State, Muhammad Abdullahi Abubakar, SAN.
The petition, dated July 22, 2026, was filed through Jay-ADL Attorneys and accuses the former Bauchi State governor of making defamatory and inflammatory remarks against the senator during a political gathering.
According to the petition, the comments, which were captured in a video that has since gone viral on Facebook and other social media platforms, questioned the source of Senator Buba’s wealth, allegedly suggesting that it was “blood money,” while portraying Abubakar’s own wealth as legitimately earned through hard work.
The legal team described the remarks as “seriously defamatory, injurious and inflammatory,” alleging that they were deliberately made to damage the senator’s reputation, diminish his public standing and undermine his political aspirations ahead of the 2027 governorship election in Bauchi State.
Senator Buba is expected to contest the governorship election on the platform of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP).
The lawyers further noted that Abubakar, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and former political ally of the senator, only made the allegations after Senator Buba’s growing political influence became evident in the state.
According to the petition, the alleged statements amount to offences under Section 24 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, as well as criminal defamation and injurious falsehood under the applicable Penal Code provisions in Bauchi State and the Federal Capital Territory.
The petition also argued that the statements were capable of inciting political supporters and creating tension capable of disturbing public peace.
Consequently, the senator urged the Inspector-General of Police to invite Abubakar for questioning, conduct a comprehensive investigation into the allegations, preserve and analyse the viral video as evidence, and, where appropriate, prosecute the former governor before a court of competent jurisdiction.
As supporting evidence, the petition reportedly included a compact disc containing the video recording and screenshots of the alleged publication.
The legal team warned that failure by the police to act within seven days would leave them with no option but to seek judicial intervention, invoking the legal maxim Fiat Justitia Ruat Caelum—“Let justice be done though the heavens fall.”
The petition was signed by Jibrin S. Jibrin, a Notary Public, alongside other members of Jay-ADL Attorneys on behalf of Senator Buba.
As of the time of filing this report, the Nigeria Police Force had not issued any official response to the petition, while Abubakar had also not publicly reacted to the allegations.
