The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted a N5 million bail to social media commentator and politician Garus Gololo, who is facing trial over alleged cybercrime and the alleged defamation of Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
According to daily post,Justice Yusuf Halilu ordered Gololo to provide one surety in the same amount. The surety must be a Grade Level 12 officer in the Federal Civil Service before he can regain his freedom.
The judge also adjourned the Akpabio defamation trial until September 22, 2026, for the commencement of trial proceedings.
Gololo is standing trial on a seven-count charge filed by the Nigeria Police Force. The charges include alleged cybercrime, cyberstalking, defamation, and incitement. He pleaded not guilty to all counts and was earlier remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre.
According to the prosecution, Gololo shared a viral video and Facebook posts alleging that Akpabio said northerners must support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027 or risk being forced out of Nigeria. Prosecutors also claimed he alleged that the Senate President said Tinubu would win the election “with or without the North.”
However, Akpabio’s office denied making the statements. It described the claims as false and misleading and urged Nigerians to disregard them. The office also asked security agencies to investigate the matter and called on Gololo to present evidence to support his allegations.
The Akpabio defamation trial has drawn public attention because it raises questions about cybercrime, online speech, and political communication. The court will continue hearing the case when it reconvenes in September.
