Amnesty International has denounced the continued detention of Ghali Isma’il, also known as Sultan, a Nigerian social media figure held over a video about President Bola Tinubu’s health.
The organization called the Department of State Services’ (DSS) arrest of Isma’il a clear misuse of power and a breach of individual rights.
In a statement posted on Facebook, Amnesty demanded Isma’il’s release, saying: “Free Ghali Isma’il Now!”
The group described the conduct of the DSS as unlawful and repressive.
Isma’il is still held at the Keffi Correctional Centre and is reportedly being subjected to what Amnesty terms a “sham trial based on bogus charges.”
The group condemned the legal process as a violation of his basic freedoms and called for his unconditional release.
Giving an update, Amnesty said that DSS operatives stormed the prison on the 29th of July 2025 and forced Ghali to surrender his phone, iCloud, and social media passwords without any lawyer present.
Amnesty stated: “This unlawful act has not only a devastating impact on the right to privacy but also profoundly affects the rights to freedom of expression, association.”
The organization raised alarm over the rising suppression of digital speech in Nigeria.
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“Persistent state repression by the DSS… creates an environment of self-censorship and fear depriving people of the right to freedom of expression,” it said.
It also warned against stifling free conversation online:
“Using repressive tactics to control what Nigerians do on social media is an unacceptable violation of human rights. This must stop.”
Ghali’s arrest came after a video surfaced on TikTok via the account @bola_asiwaju, in which he claimed that President Tinubu had died from poisoning complications.
The federal government later charged him with spreading falsehoods and inciting unrest.
Amnesty continues to demand that all charges against him be dropped and called for an end to what it sees as a crackdown on dissenting voices.