The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the remand of Sanusi Dankaka at the Kuje Correctional Centre following his arraignment on two counts of alleged cybercrime involving threats to publish nude photographs and videos purportedly involving Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.
Justice Salim Ibrahim issued the order on Monday after the Department of State Services (DSS) brought the defendant before the court.
Dankaka pleaded not guilty to both charges, meaning the allegations remain to be established through the judicial process.
The court subsequently adjourned the case until December 7, 2026, for trial.
DSS Outlines Allegations Against Defendant
According to the prosecution, the case concerns alleged threats to circulate nude images and videos purportedly involving the Kano governor through Facebook.
The DSS accused Dankaka and other individuals said to be at large of using a Facebook account identified as Sanusi Dankaka Yahaya to threaten to make the material public.
The agency alleged that the threatened publication was intended to cause annoyance, inconvenience, insult and injury to the governor.
The charges were filed on October 22, 2026, and relate to alleged conduct said to have occurred in October.
The prosecution contends that the alleged actions violated provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, as amended.
The allegations have not been established in court, and Dankaka is entitled to the presumption of innocence unless proven guilty.
Defendant Pleads Not Guilty
During Monday’s proceedings, DSS counsel Yusuf Afegbua informed the court that the prosecution was ready to proceed with the arraignment.
Defence counsel Kauna Penzin also indicated that the defence was ready for the proceedings.
After the charges were read to him, Dankaka entered a plea of not guilty.
The prosecution subsequently requested a trial date and asked the court to remand the defendant at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending further proceedings.
The defence did not oppose the remand application, according to reports of the court proceedings.
Justice Ibrahim granted the request and adjourned the case until December 7 for trial.
Cybercrime and the Protection of Personal Information
The case brings renewed attention to the legal consequences of alleged online threats, the misuse of social media and the publication or threatened publication of intimate material.
Digital platforms have become important channels for political communication, public debate and personal expression. However, allegations involving threats, harassment or the misuse of private information can raise significant legal questions.
The prosecution will be required to establish its allegations through the appropriate legal process, while the defendant will have the opportunity to challenge the evidence presented against him.
The court’s remand order is a procedural decision and does not constitute a finding of guilt.
The next hearing, scheduled for December 7, is expected to advance proceedings in the case.