Garus Gololo, a social media commentator, has been granted bail by the Federal High Court in Abuja amid his trial for cybercrime and the alleged defamation of Senate President Godswill Akpabio. Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia set the bail at N5 million, requiring one surety who must hold at least a grade level 12 position within the federal civil service. Following this decision, the judge postponed further proceedings until September 22.
Gololo faces a seven-count indictment brought by the Nigeria Police Force, which includes allegations of cyberstalking, defamation, and incitement. The defendant, who was previously held at the Kuje Correctional Centre, maintains his innocence. The prosecution asserts that Gololo distributed video and Facebook content falsely claiming that Akpabio demanded northern support for President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election under threat of expulsion. The Senate President’s office has formally rejected these accusations, labeling them as malicious fabrications designed to provoke public unrest and insisting the statements were never made.
