DSS arraigns Atiku supporter for circulating fake Tinubu letter to Trump

Abdullateef Fowewe

The Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned a supporter of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in Kaduna for circulating a forged document purportedly written by President Bola Tinubu to the President of the United States, Donald Trump.

The suspect, identified as Mubarak Abdullahi (also known as Sardaunan Samari), was arrested on 28 September after sharing the fake letter on his Facebook page with the caption “ATIKU IS COMING.”

Presidential Special Adviser on Information and Strategy Bayo Onanuga announced the development on Tuesday via X, stating, “An avowed supporter of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar now faces trial in Kaduna for circulating a document purportedly written by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the President of the United States of America.”

According to Onanuga, the suspect admitted to investigators that he shared the fake document and apologised for his actions.

“The contrition was not enough,” he added.

The DSS arraigned Abdullahi before Chief Magistrate Court No. 10 in Kabala Doki, Kaduna, which ordered his remand at the Nigerian Correctional Centre, Kaduna.

The agency has also filed a three-count charge bordering on cybercrime and defamation against him at the Federal High Court, Kaduna.

A date for his formal arraignment is yet to be fixed.

Onanuga noted that the DSS “continues to show that it has the capacity to trace those engaged in circulating misleading information in cyberspace.”