The Nigeria Police Force, on Monday, failed to present popular TikToker Timothy Gabriel, also known as ‘Tumma,’ in court for trial, forcing the judge to adjourn the case until April 29, 2025.
Gabriel, who has spent over a month in solitary confinement, was arrested for allegedly making defamatory remarks against Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun.
A source who witnessed Monday’s court proceedings confirmed the adjournment, stating: “We just finished from the court now, the police did not bring him to court, so the judge has adjourned the matter to 29 April”
Amid growing public outrage, an X user, Larry, following the case closely, condemned the police and demanded Gabriel’s immediate release.
The Federal High Court in Abuja had initially scheduled the hearing for Monday, March 24, 2025.
Court documents obtained by SaharaReporters confirm that the IGP is both the complainant and the driving force behind the case. The IGP accuses Gabriel of cyberstalking under the Cybercrimes (Prevention, Prohibition, etc.) Act 2025 (as amended in 2024).
Count One: Gabriel is accused of falsely stating that the Lagos State Governor is an armed robber who specializes in looting the state treasury. The statement, made via his TikTok account, OFFICIAL_TUMMA, allegedly aimed to damage the governor’s reputation. This is considered an offence under Section 24(2)(a) and is punishable under Section 24(2)(c)(i) of the Cybercrimes Act.
Count Two: Gabriel is also accused of posting a video aimed at threatening the reputation of the IGP, which is similarly punishable under the Cybercrimes Act.
Gabriel was arrested on February 6, 2025, when heavily armed officers stormed his location in Mpape, Abuja. He was later transferred to the Cybercrime Centre of the Nigeria Police Force.
Sources previously told SaharaReporters that IGP Egbetokun ordered Gabriel’s arrest due to statements made in his videos. Despite spending over a month in detention, he has been denied bail, raising concerns over human rights violations and the misuse of power to silence critics.
Monday’s development further fuels speculation that the police are deliberately frustrating legal proceedings to keep Gabriel in custody indefinitely.
