After reportedly making disparaging remarks against Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun, Gabriel was placed under arrest and has been in solitary confinement for more than a month.
When the Nigeria Police Force failed to bring well-known TikToker Timothy Gabriel, also known as “Tumma,” to court on Monday for trial, the judge was forced to postpone the case until April 29, 2025.
After being detained for more than a month in solitary confinement, Gabriel was accused of uttering disparaging remarks against Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun and Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
The IGP is both the complainant and the case’s principal force, according to court filings. Using the Cybercrimes (Prevention, Prohibition, etc.) Act 2025 (as amended in 2024), the IGP accuses Gabriel of cyberstalking.
On the first count, Gabriel is charged with making a false statement claiming that the governor of Lagos State is an armed robber with a penchant for robbing the taxpayers. According to reports, the comment was intended to harm the governor’s reputation and was posted on his TikTok account, OFFICIAL_TUMMA. The Cybercrimes Act’s Section 24(2)(a) declares this to be an offense, while Section 24(2)(c)(i) stipulates the penalties for this.
Count Two: Gabriel is also charged with uploading a video that allegedly threatened the IGP’s reputation, a tactic that carries the same penalties under the Cybercrimes Act.
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On February 6, 2025, Gabriel was taken into custody after highly armed police officers attacked his home in Mpape, Abuja. Later, the Nigeria Police Force moved him to the Cybercrime Center.
IGP Egbetokun had earlier ordered Gabriel’s arrest based on statements in his videos, according to sources. He was denied bail despite being detained for more than a month, which raises questions about human rights abuses and the abuse of authority to stifle opponents.
The incident on Monday further feeds rumors that the police are purposefully obstructing court processes in order to maintain Gabriel’s extended detention.
