AMNESTY International (AI) has condemned the continuous detention of social media personality Ghali Isma’il and demanded his immediate release.
Ismail, also known as Sultan, was arrested over a video he posted discussing President Bola Tinubu’s health.
Amnesty International described Isma’il’s arrest and detention by the SSS as an outright abuse of power and a violation of civil liberties.
In a post shared on its official X handle, AI called for Ghali’s freedom, stating: “Free Ghali Isma’il Now!”
The group described the security operatives’ actions as “illegal and oppressive.”
Isma’il is in custody at the Keffi Correctional Centre, facing a trial that Amnesty International called a ‘sham’ with “bogus charges.”
The group opined that the detention and trial violated Isma’il’s fundamental rights and demanded his unconditional release.
Amnesty said SSS agents invaded the prison on July 29, 2025, and forced Ghali to give them access to his digital accounts without a lawyer present.
It said the detention had had a devastating impact on Ghali’s right to privacy and had also profoundly affected his rights to freedom of expression and association.
The group expressed concern over the increasing trend of censorship and intimidation targeting online voices in Nigeria.
“Persistent state repression by the DSS (otherwise known as SSS)… creates an environment of self-censorship and fear — depriving people of the right to freedom of expression,” Amnesty warned.
The organisation condemned efforts to suppress online discourse, saying that using repressive tactics to control Nigerians’ social media activities violated human rights and must stop.
Isma’il was arrested by the SSS operatives after posting a video on his verified TikTok account @bola_asiwaju claiming President Bola Tinubu had died due to poisoning complications.
He was subsequently arraigned before a Chief Magistrate Court in Abuja on a two-count charge bordering on the publication of false information and incitement of public disaffection.
However, after hearing arguments from both the SSS and the defence counsel — whose application for bail was denied — Chief Magistrate Ekpeyong Iyang ordered that Isma’il be remanded at the Keffi Correctional Centre.
The case was adjourned until August 19.
A reporter with the ICIR
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