Group Petitions IGP, Seeks Probe Of DanBello Over Alleged Cybercrime and Defamation Against Senator Yari
A civil society organisation, Patriots for the Advancement of Peace and Social Development, has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), calling for the investigation and possible prosecution of social media influencer, Bello Galadanchi, popularly known as DanBello, over alleged cybercrime, cyberstalking, harassment and defamation.
In the petition signed by its Executive Director, Alhaji Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, and addressed to the IGP at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, the group alleged that DanBello circulated video clips and social media posts accusing former Zamfara State Governor and serving Senator, Senator Abdul’aziz Abubakar Yari, of diverting ₦1.7 trillion from the Federation Account through AJAP Financial Services Limited and Abdullahi Abdulkarim Tsafe.
The organisation described the allegations as false, malicious and politically motivated, claiming they were intended to damage the reputations of Senator Yari, AJAP Financial Services Limited and Abdulkarim Tsafe.
According to the petition, the publications were widely shared on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, WhatsApp and X (formerly Twitter), allegedly causing reputational harm, emotional distress and loss of business opportunities to those named.
The group argued that while freedom of expression is guaranteed under the Constitution, it should not be used to spread unverified or defamatory allegations against individuals or corporate entities.
It further urged the Nigeria Police Force to investigate whether the influencer’s actions constitute offences under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 (as amended), and other relevant laws relating to cyberstalking and defamation.
The petitioners called on the police to prosecute anyone found culpable, saying such action would serve as a deterrent against the misuse of social media for cyberbullying and politically motivated attacks.
The organisation said it had attached flash drives containing the disputed video clips and screenshots of the social media posts to assist investigators.
Copies of the petition were also forwarded to the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) and the Director of the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC).
