Amnesty International, has called for the immediate and unconditional release of Ghali Isma’il, a social media influencer detained over a video about President Bola Tinubu’s health.
The organisation condemned the Department of State Security’s (DSS) actions, including the forced extraction of passwords to Isma’il’s iCloud, mobile phones, and social media accounts, as a violation of human rights and an attempt to suppress freedom of expression.
Amnesty International argued that such repressive tactics would create an environment of fear and self-censorship, undermining the rights of Nigerians to express themselves on social and political issues.
The organisation urged the Nigerian authorities to drop all plans for a sham trial and to respect human rights.
Amnesty International condemns ongoing detention of social media influencer Ghali Isma’il widely known as Sultan over a video on the ‘health’ of President Bola Tinubu.
He was arrested by the Department of State Security (DSS) in clear demonstration of abuse of power. Right now, Ghali is detained at Keffi Prison ahead of plans to put him through a sham trial that will be based on bogus charges.
In another display of lawlessness, on 29 July 2025, the DSS had visited the prison and forcefully took passwords of his icloud, his mobile phones and social media accounts without recourse to his lawyers.
This unlawful act has not only devastating impact on right to privacy but also profoundly affects the rights to freedom of expression, association.
The most notable consequences of persistent state repression by the DSS is that it creates an environment of self-censorship and fear depriving people of the right to freedom of expression.
Increasingly, Nigerians who use social media to comment on social and political issues face intimidation.
Some have come under attacks and threats of arrest. Using repressive tactics to control what Nigerians do on social media is an unacceptable violation of human rights. This must stop.
The Nigerian authorities must immediately and unconditionally release Ghali Isma’il and to drop all plans to put him through a sham trial.
