Court Remands Former NBA Branch Chairman in DSS Custody Over Cyberstalking Allegations

The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the remand of Gabriel Nkup Tsenyen, a former Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Shendam branch in Plateau State, in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) pending a ruling on his fresh arraignment.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik set August 20 to determine whether Tsenyen, who is also a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), can face a new two-count charge bordering on cyberstalking and incitement of public disturbance.

The decision followed an objection raised by the defence counsel, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Emmanuel Esene, as the prosecution attempted to take Tsenyen’s plea. The defence argued that the lawyer had previously been arraigned before the same court on identical allegations, with the matter already adjourned to September 28 for trial. Proceeding with the fresh charges, the defence contended, would amount to double jeopardy.

In response, prosecution counsel Muinat Oladunjoye stated she was unaware of the earlier charge. Justice Abdulmalik requested the official record of proceedings from the initial case to verify the claims before deciding whether the new trial can legally proceed.

The proposed charges, filed by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, allege that Tsenyen circulated a false publication on a local community WhatsApp platform in May 2026, claiming residents were plotting against him. The prosecution asserts the message was intended to cause criminal intimidation and incite a breach of public peace under the Cybercrimes Act and Penal Code Act.