Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Honourable Yakubu Dogara, has issued a powerful petition to the Department of State Services against Dr. Tsiga, accusing him of fabricating and spreading a malicious statement on Facebook that is capable of igniting hatred, public unrest, and reputational destruction. The petition, prepared by his legal counsel J.J. Usman, SAN & Co., describes the publication as a reckless and dangerous act calculated to mislead Nigerians and drag Dogara’s name into ridicule and odium.
Dogara’s legal team revealed that Dr. Tsiga falsely attributed to him a statement in Hausa which, when translated, reads: “Nigerians must vote for Tinubu, even if it means the country will collapse.” Dogara categorically denied ever making such remarks, branding the publication as a wicked distortion of democratic principles and a deliberate attempt to portray him as an advocate of coercion. He stressed that the falsehood was not an innocent mistake but a malicious fabrication designed to provoke hostility, resentment, and rancor against him in Nigeria’s already volatile political climate.
The petition insists that imputing such undemocratic views to Dogara is a direct assault on his integrity and credibility, exposing him to public antagonism and bitterness. It describes the act as a calculated smear campaign intended to destroy his reputation and mislead the public into believing he supports anti-democratic positions. Dogara’s counsel emphasized that the publication is not only defamatory but also a dangerous weapon of misinformation capable of destabilizing the democratic process and inflaming public sentiment.
Citing the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, Dogara’s legal team declared that Dr. Tsiga’s actions fall squarely within the ambit of criminal offenses. Section 24(1)(b) criminalizes the intentional transmission of false or offensive messages intended to cause annoyance, insult, or hatred, while Section 24(2)(a) and (c) prohibit knowingly false messages that cause reputational damage or fear. By disseminating the fabricated statement via Facebook, the petition argues, Dr. Tsiga engaged in cyberstalking and the deliberate spread of false information, with clear intent or reckless disregard for the devastating consequences.
Dogara’s petition calls on the DSS to act swiftly and decisively by inviting and interrogating Dr. Tsiga, conducting a thorough investigation into the origin and spread of the false statement, and prosecuting him or taking other appropriate legal measures to serve as a deterrent to others who may attempt similar acts. The petition underscores that this matter transcends personal injury, as such false publications have the potential to destabilize Nigeria’s democratic process by spreading misinformation and inflaming divisions among citizens.
Dogara emphasized that his reputation has been painstakingly built over years of public service, anchored on integrity, responsibility, and respect for democratic values. He described the publication as a vicious and calculated attempt to drag him into disrepute and mislead the public. He urged the DSS to rise to the occasion by safeguarding national security and curbing the spread of false and inflammatory information online, warning that failure to act decisively would embolden others to weaponize social media against respected public figures and institutions.
In conclusion, Dogara expressed confidence in the DSS’s commitment to protecting Nigeria from the dangers of misinformation and cybercrime. He insisted that individuals who deliberately spread falsehoods must face the full weight of the law, not only to protect his personal reputation but also to preserve the integrity of Nigeria’s democratic process. The petition serves as a stark reminder of the growing menace of malicious online propaganda and the urgent need for strong institutional action to ensure that such reckless acts do not go unchecked.
