- Tumma’s lawyer, S.M. Oyeghe, urged the court to grant bail on liberal terms, citing constitutional provisions.
- However, the prosecution opposed the application, arguing insufficient grounds.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed July 25, 2025, to rule on the bail application of TikToker Gabriel Timothy, aka “Tumma,” who is facing charges of defamation, cyberstalking, and falsehood against Senator Ned Nwoko’s wife, Regina Daniels.
Tumma, who pleaded not guilty, was earlier remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre after his arraignment. His lawyer, S.M. Oyeghe, urged the court to grant bail on liberal terms, citing constitutional provisions. However, the prosecution opposed the application, arguing insufficient grounds.
Justice Yilwa H. Joseph will deliver the ruling on July 25, while the trial resumes October 8, 2025.
He stated: “We have taken full notice of the vile, reckless, and malicious statements made by one Timothy Gabriel, alias Tuma, and the accompanying attempts to dress lawless behaviour in the garb of activism or press freedom.
“Gabriel not only spewed defamatory lies against Regina Daniels, my wife, an accomplished actress, but also me, and he did so repeatedly, with clear intent to provoke, incite, and destroy reputations.
“There is no democracy anywhere in the world where freedom of speech includes freedom to defame, blackmail, or incite hatred under the guise of online influence.
“The internet is not above the law. Those who think they can assassinate character and go unpunished are about to face the full weight of Nigeria’s legal system.”
“My legal team also representing Regina-Daniels Nwoko is already taking every step necessary to prosecute Gabriel and his enablers through every legal means available,” he said.
