December 24, (THEWILL) — Renowned Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Abubakar Gumi, has filed a criminal complaint before a Chief Magistrate Court in Kaduna State against two Facebook users over alleged death threats, impersonation and defamation.
Court documents sighted by THEWILL indicate that the case, Suit No. KMD/685/25, was instituted on Wednesday, December 24, 2025, following a controversial Facebook post allegedly published a day earlier and attributed to the cleric.
The defendants, George Udom and Bello Isiaka, are accused of using Sheikh Gumi’s name and photograph to circulate a statement purportedly threatening the Minister of Defence over ongoing military operations against bandits. The post allegedly warned that the minister’s family in Zangon Kataf, Southern Kaduna, would be harmed if the offensive did not stop.
Sheikh Gumi, through his counsel, Suleiman Danlami Lere, Esq., firmly denied authoring or endorsing the statement, describing it as a malicious fabrication designed to portray him as a supporter of terrorism and a danger to national security.
In the criminal application, the cleric stated that the publication has endangered his life, damaged his reputation, and exposed him to possible retaliation by security agencies or members of the public. He stressed that, as a religious leader known for preaching peace and dialogue, the alleged post falsely casts him as a violent actor.
The complaint invokes provisions of the Penal Code Law of Kaduna State, 2017, bordering on criminal defamation, impersonation, incitement and conduct likely to cause a breach of public peace. The defendants, if convicted, risk severe penalties, including possible terms of imprisonment.
Sheikh Gumi’s legal team said the action was meant to serve as a deterrent to the growing abuse of social media platforms for spreading falsehoods and inciting violence.
“The era of hiding behind a smartphone to destroy the reputation of others is over”, the legal team warned, adding that the case sends a clear message that online misconduct carries serious legal consequences.
The matter is expected to come up for hearing upon the issuance of a criminal summons by the court.
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