The Nigeria Police Force has filed cybercrime charges against a Kano-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Adam Zubair Adam, popularly known as Baffa Hotoro, over alleged criminal defamation, intimidation and incitement targeting the late Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi and Sheikh Mannir Adam Koza.
The six-count charge, filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja, borders on alleged offences under Section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015, as amended in 2024.
Court documents obtained by this newspaper showed that the suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/87/2026 and dated May 10, 2026, listed the Inspector-General of Police as complainant and Sheikh Baffa Hotoro as defendant.
The charges were signed by M.K. Yahaya, R.N. Maigoro and A.I. Aminu, prosecuting counsel in the Directorate of Legal Services at the Police Force Headquarters, Abuja.
According to the court filings, the cleric, who was earlier arrested and granted bail in February 2026, was scheduled to be arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday, May 11, 2026.
However, the arraignment did not proceed because the defendant was absent from court.
Documents seen by this newspaper indicated that the defendant was duly served with the court process but failed to appear without giving any reason.
Background
The late Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi, who died on November 25, 2025, was a renowned Islamic scholar and leader of the Tijjaniyya movement with millions of followers across Nigeria and West Africa.
Sheikh Mannir Koza is regarded as one of the leading younger voices within the Tijjaniyya movement and commands a significant following nationwide.
Baffa Hotoro, a Salafi cleric, is known for controversial sermons, including criticisms of Sufi scholars, revered saints and fellow Salafi clerics.
According to the police filings, Hotoro allegedly made derogatory remarks against Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi and Sheikh Koza during a sermon broadcast live on social media on June 18, 2024.
In the viral Hausa-language video, the cleric allegedly described the two scholars as “polytheists” and claimed they were forbidden from entering the Ka’aba in Makkah.
The police also referenced another viral video allegedly recorded after the death of Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi in November 2025, in which Hotoro was said to have again made inflammatory comments against the late cleric.
The filings noted that the remarks were capable of provoking sectarian tension and disrupting public peace.
Earlier, on May 19, 2023, operatives of the State Security Service, SSS, arrested Hotoro following complaints from members of the public and the Kano State Government over alleged derogatory comments against Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi.
He later appeared in a video apologising to the late scholar, his family and followers.
Following fresh petitions from the family of Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi and Sheikh Koza, the police rearrested the cleric in February this year before granting him bail.
Details of the charges
In count one, the police alleged that Hotoro knowingly used his TikTok and Facebook platforms on June 18, 2024, to publish false content intended to cause annoyance, intimidation, hatred and ill-will against Sheikh Mannir Koza, contrary to Section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes Act.
Count two accused him of publishing another allegedly false video on November 27, 2025, targeting the late Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi through the same social media platforms.
Counts three and four alleged that the cleric insulted Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi and Sheikh Koza by referring to them as “Mushrik” — described in the charge as non-believers in the oneness of Allah — with intent to provoke a breach of peace among members of the Tijjaniyya movement, contrary to Section 114 of the Penal Code Act.
Counts five and six accused the defendant of making statements intended to harm the reputations of Sheikh Koza and the late Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi, contrary to Section 393 of the Penal Code Act.
Why petitions were filed
The charges followed petitions dated July 19, 2024, and December 10, 2025, submitted to the Inspector-General of Police by Compass Chambers on behalf of Sheikh Koza and the family of the late Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi.
The petitioners alleged that Hotoro publicly declared that the two clerics were among those “Allah did not permit to go to Ka’aba” and labelled them “Mushrik.”
They argued that the comments were reckless and inflammatory, especially given the influence and large following of the late Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi.
According to the petitions, the remarks had the potential to incite unrest and emotionally destabilise millions of followers in Nigeria and beyond.
The petitioners further claimed that Hotoro continued making provocative statements despite being under investigation and allegedly made posts mocking police authorities while the case was ongoing.
They urged the police to expedite action on the matter and ensure that the suspect was prosecuted in accordance with the law.
Clerics, lawyers react
Some Islamic scholars from both Sufi and Salafi backgrounds who spoke to this newspaper described the case as significant for religious preaching in Northern Nigeria.
A cleric, Ustaz Muhammad Sagir, said the prosecution could help “sanitize the da’awa system” and reduce sectarian tension.
While acknowledging the right of preachers to critique actions based on Islamic teachings, he said arbitrarily branding fellow Muslims as polytheists was unacceptable.
Another cleric, Malam Yusuf al-Maliky, said the legal action could strengthen inter-sect relations and discourage inflammatory preaching.
Sheikh Husain Kasim also urged security agencies to act promptly against clerics whose statements could threaten public peace.
Some lawyers also commended the petitioners for choosing legal action instead of resorting to violence or self-help.
Barrister Ibrahim Ahmad Kabir described religion as a sensitive issue in Northern Nigeria and praised the complainants for seeking redress through lawful means.
Another lawyer, Garba Mohammed, said the court could issue a bench warrant against the defendant if it established that he was properly served but deliberately failed to appear in court.
No response from defendant
Attempts to obtain comments from Sheikh Hotoro were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
Text and WhatsApp messages sent to the cleric seeking explanation for his absence in court were not replied to.
