DSS Arraigns Mubarak Abdullahi in Kaduna Over Alleged Fake Tinubu Letter to US President

Abdulhameed Sherif · Report · Oct 27, 2026

The Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned Mubarak Abdullahi, also known as Sardaunan Samari, before a Kaduna Chief Magistrate Court over an alleged forged letter attributed to President Bola Tinubu and addressed to the US President. The case has sparked criticism from activist Omoyele.

The Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned Mubarak Abdullahi, also known as Sardaunan Samari, in Kaduna State over a document allegedly forged to appear as a letter from President Bola Tinubu to the President of the United States. Abdullahi appeared before Chief Magistrate Court No. 10 in Kabala Doki, Kaduna, where the court ordered that he be remanded at a Nigerian Correctional Centre.

President Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed the development in a post on his X account on Monday. According to Onanuga, the suspect was arrested on September 28, 2026, after allegedly sharing the document on Facebook with the caption, “ATIKU IS COMING”. The presidential aide said Abdullahi admitted during interrogation that he shared the document and apologised for his actions, but the apology did not prevent the authorities from proceeding with the case.

Onanuga also described Abdullahi as a supporter of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, though the claim has not been independently verified. He added that the DSS would continue to monitor and take action against individuals accused of spreading misleading information online. Reports indicate the DSS filed a three-count charge bordering on cybercrime and defamation against the suspect.

Sowore Criticises DSS Over Arrest

Reacting to the development on Tuesday, human rights activist and politician Omoyele Sowore condemned the arrest, accusing the government of using the DSS to intimidate citizens and suppress opposing views. In a post on X, Sowore questioned the agency’s handling of the case, arguing that a national security organisation should not be deployed to target citizens over their online activities. He described the arrest of Abdullahi over the alleged publication of the document as unacceptable and accused the government of attempting to silence dissenting voices.

Sowore also criticised the Tinubu administration, calling on the government to be accountable to Nigerians rather than use security agencies against citizens.

The case has drawn attention to the handling of alleged fake documents circulated on social media and the balance between enforcing cybercrime laws and protecting freedom of expression. Further proceedings are expected as the legal process continues.