A Federal High Court sitting in Jos has remanded Plateau-based activist, Nansel Selman Lar, in prison custody over alleged cyber-related offences.
Lar was arraigned after a series of arrests by the Criminal Investigation Department, CID, over petitions linked to Langtang North and Langtang South Local Government Areas.
Court documents showed that the Commissioner of Police, Plateau State Command, filed a five-count charge against the 33-year-old activist and four other persons said to be at large.
The charges include conspiracy, cyberstalking, defamation of character, inciting disturbance and criminal intimidation under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, and the Penal Code Act.
The prosecution alleged that the defendants used Facebook and WhatsApp to publish posts accusing the Chairman of Langtang South Local Government Area, Hon. Nanfa Nbin Alhassan, of embezzlement and financial misconduct.
Police also alleged that the publications were “grossly offensive and menacing” and were capable of causing a breach of public peace.
Lar’s arrest reportedly began on June 23, 2026, after he honoured an invitation by the CID over petitions concerning the two local government areas.
He was detained the same day, while detectives reportedly searched his residence before granting him administrative bail on June 24.
The activist was rearrested on June 25 over another petition relating to Langtang South Local Government Area and was granted bail again on June 27.
Detectives, however, took him into custody on June 30 ahead of his arraignment before the Federal High Court on July 1, where the court ordered his remand.
Meanwhile, sources alleged that Lar’s arrest may also be connected to an open letter he addressed to Governor Caleb Mutfwang on alleged financial mismanagement in Langtang North and Langtang South local government areas.
The letter called for government intervention, alleging poor budget implementation, lack of transparency and abandoned projects in the two councils.
Supporters of the activist have questioned the repeated arrests and prosecution, urging authorities to ensure due process and transparency as the case continues before the court.
