By Abdullahi Alhassan, Kaduna
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) has been petitioned to investigate and prosecute social media influencer Bello Galadanchi, popularly known as DanBello, over allegations of cybercrime, cyberstalking and defamation arising from viral claims involving former Zamfara State Governor, Senator Abdul’aziz Abubakar Yari, and Ajap Financial Services Limited.
The petition, submitted to the Force Headquarters in Abuja on June 26 by the civil society organisation, Patriots for the Advancement of Peace and Social Development, accused DanBello of publishing and circulating videos across Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, WhatsApp and X, alleging that Senator Yari diverted ₦1.7 trillion from the Federation Account during his tenure as governor.
Signed by the group’s Executive Director, Alhaji Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, Ph.D, the petition alleged that the influencer claimed the funds were channelled through Ajap Financial Services Limited and Abdullahi Abdulkarim Tsafe, identified as Senator Yari’s former Chief of Staff.
The organisation described the allegations as false, fabricated and misleading, alleging that the publications were intended to tarnish the reputations of Senator Yari, Ajap Financial Services Limited and Tsafe, particularly during the electioneering period.
According to the petitioners, the online campaign has subjected the affected individuals and organisation to public ridicule, reputational damage, emotional distress, social stigma and potential business losses.
The group maintained that Ajap Financial Services Limited is a duly registered private limited liability company with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), providing financial services to both public and private sector clients across Nigeria.
The petition urged the police to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the allegations and, where sufficient evidence exists, prosecute DanBello for alleged violations of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, as well as applicable provisions of the Criminal and Penal Codes relating to defamation.
It further referenced Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution, arguing that while the Constitution does not expressly recognise a right to business, it guarantees privacy, dignity and protection against unlawful attacks on an individual’s reputation.
Shinkafi also condemned what he described as sustained harassment, cyberbullying, cyberstalking and intimidation targeted at the former Zamfara governor, warning that such conduct undermines democratic values and societal respect for public office holders.
«”Cyberbullying is not only an attack on individuals but also an assault on the principles of justice, decency, integrity, accountability and equity upon which Nigeria’s democracy is founded,” the petition stated.»
The group disclosed that it submitted flash drives containing the disputed video recordings alongside screenshots of the social media posts to aid police investigations.
While acknowledging the constitutional right to freedom of expression, the petition argued that such freedom must be exercised responsibly and accused DanBello and his alleged sponsors of failing to substantiate the allegations made against Senator Yari, Tsafe and Ajap Financial Services Limited.
The organisation expressed optimism that a thorough investigation and, where appropriate, prosecution would discourage the use of cyberstalking and online defamation as political tools during the current electoral cycle.
Copies of the petition were also forwarded to the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), the Interpol National Central Bureau, and the Director of the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre, Abuja.
Efforts to obtain comments from DanBello were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
Senator Abdul’aziz Abubakar Yari served as Governor of Zamfara State between 2011 and 2019 and currently represents Zamfara West Senatorial District in the National Assembly.
