Sheikh Gumi Files Criminal Suit Over Viral “Breaking News” Facebook Hoax

The legal battle over digital misinformation reached a fever pitch in Kaduna State this week as prominent Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, initiated criminal proceedings against two individuals. In a direct criminal complaint filed before the Chief Magistrate Court on Ibrahim Taiwo Road, the cleric is seeking justice for what he describes as a calculated attempt to ruin his reputation and incite communal violence through the spread of “fake news.”

The defendants in the suit, identified as George Udom and Bello Isiaka, are accused of utilizing their Facebook platforms to disseminate a highly inflammatory statement on Tuesday morning. According to the court filings, the posts were tagged as “Breaking News” and began circulating between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m., quickly gaining traction across social media networks.

The content of the alleged publication was nothing short of explosive. It claimed that the family of the Minister of Defence, retired Gen. Christopher Musa, would be “eliminated” unless the Nigerian military halted its ongoing operations against banditry. To lend a veneer of authenticity to this chilling ultimatum, the defendants reportedly used Sheikh Gumi’s photograph alongside the text, creating the false impression that the cleric was the mastermind behind the threat.

For Sheikh Gumi, the fallout was immediate and distressing. He informed the court that his phone was inundated with calls from concerned members of the public who genuinely believed he had issued a death threat against the family of the nation’s defense chief. The cleric argued that the publication was a deliberate distortion of his identity, framing a man known for religious preaching as a violent insurgent leader.

The legal application, dated December 24, 2025, was brought forward by a legal team led by Suleiman Lere. The lawyers contend that the defendants’ actions go beyond mere gossip; they represent a criminal conspiracy and a brazen attempt to cause public disturbance. By falsely linking Gumi to a threat against a high-ranking official from Southern Kaduna, the cleric fears the post could act as a spark for sectarian or regional unrest in a state already sensitive to such tensions.

Beyond the immediate threat of civil disorder, Gumi expressed deep concern for his personal safety. He argued that by presenting him as the author of a threat against Gen. Musa’s family, the defendants have essentially painted a target on his back. Should any harm come to the Minister’s relatives, the cleric notes he would be viewed as the primary suspect, regardless of his actual innocence.

The suit highlights that the cleric’s reputation as a religious leader who advocates for harmony both within Nigeria and on the international stage has been severely tarnished. The complaint argues that the defendants acted with malice, intending to disparage his character and portray him as an enemy of the state and a threat to public peace.

The charges brought against Udom and Isiaka are grounded in several sections of the Penal Code Law of Kaduna State, 2017. Specifically, the cleric cites Sections 59, 57, 372, 116, and 117, which cover offenses ranging from criminal defamation to the incitement of public disturbance. If the court grants the summons, the two men will be required to appear and defend their actions in a trial that could set a major precedent for social media accountability in Nigeria.

The timing of the suit, filed on Christmas Eve, underscores the urgency with which the Gumi camp views the situation. In an era where a single viral post can lead to real-world consequences, the cleric’s legal move is a direct challenge to the culture of “breaking news” without verification. He is urging the court to intervene decisively to clear his name and prevent a manufactured crisis from spiraling out of control.

As the legal community watches the Ibrahim Taiwo Road court for the next steps, the case serves as a stark reminder of the volatile intersection between religion, politics, and digital media in modern Nigeria. For now, Sheikh Gumi remains focused on the judiciary, hoping that a criminal summons will be the first step in dismantling a narrative he labels as dangerous and fraudulent.