DSS Arraigns Former Plateau NBA Chairman Over Alleged WhatsApp Post

The Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned former Plateau State Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Gabriel Tsenyen, over allegations that he published false claims on a community WhatsApp platform accusing members of his community of plotting to kill him.

Court documents show that Tsenyen is facing a four-count charge before the Federal High Court in Abuja under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, as amended.

The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/317/2026, centres on a publication allegedly made on the Ngootuguit Local Community WhatsApp platform on or about May 15, 2026.

According to the DSS, Tsenyen allegedly circulated a message claiming that members of the Ngootuguit community were involved in a plan to eliminate him.

The security agency contends that the former NBA chairman knew the allegations were false and published them with the intention of causing fear, hostility, anxiety and tension within the community.

In the first count, prosecutors accused Tsenyen of conspiring with persons said to be at large to circulate the publication, an offence allegedly contrary to Section 27(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes Act and punishable under Section 24(1) of the same law.

The second count alleges that he attempted to transmit the publication through the WhatsApp platform, contrary to Section 27(1)(a) of the Act.

The third and fourth counts accuse him of transmitting the allegedly false information through the community WhatsApp group, contrary to Section 24(1) of the Cybercrimes Act.

According to the prosecution, the publication alleged that the entire Ngootuguit community was involved in a plot to kill him.

The DSS legal team handling the matter includes M. E. Ernest, O. M. Owan, U. M. Bulla, C. S. Eze and E. G. Orubor.

The prosecution has listed the DSS investigating officer as its principal witness in the case.

Court filings also indicate that additional witnesses may be called during the trial if necessary.

As of the time of reporting, the DSS had not issued any further public statement beyond the court filings, while Tsenyen had also not publicly responded to the charges.

Human rights advocate and former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Chidi Odinkalu, has questioned the decision to prosecute the former NBA chairman under the Cybercrimes Act.

Reacting to the development in a post on his verified X account on June 24, Odinkalu described the charges as controversial and raised concerns about the application of cybercrime legislation to the matter.

"Charging him under cybercrime laws is difficult to take seriously," Odinkalu wrote.

While acknowledging that Tsenyen may have exercised poor judgment in the manner he handled his concerns, Odinkalu argued that the case raises broader questions about freedom of expression and the scope of the Cybercrimes Act.

The case is likely to reignite debate over the use of Nigeria's Cybercrimes Act in prosecuting speech-related offences.

Civil society groups, lawyers and digital rights advocates have repeatedly raised concerns about provisions of the law dealing with false publications and online communications, arguing that they can potentially affect freedom of expression.

Supporters of the law, however, maintain that it provides legal safeguards against the spread of harmful falsehoods, online harassment and other forms of digital abuse.

The Federal High Court is expected to continue proceedings in the matter at a later date.

Tsenyen remains innocent in the eyes of the law unless proven guilty by the court.