Ex-Gov. Yari petitions IGP, DSS over alleged defamation by online news outlets; Seeks probe, prosecution. From Cyril Mbah, Abuja
Njideka Ozoalor
Former Zamfara State Governor, Senator Abdulaziz Yari has sent a strongly worded petition to the Inspector General of Police and the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), alleging criminal defamation, libel, and cyber bullying against journalist Jackson Ude and some online news platforms, namely Tracknews NG and Akelicious over publications allegedly targeting him with malicious intentions.
The petition, which was filed through Dexter Law Firm and dated April 24, 2026, was addressed to the Police and DSS Headquarters in Abuja, according to a statement issued the Executive Director of Patriots for the Advancement of Peace and Social Development, Dr. Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, an ÀPC chieftian.
The statement explained that the law firm acted on behalf of Patriots for the Advancement of Peace and Social Development, a political NGO registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission to promote peace, protect the integrity of its members and seek justice for the unlawful malignment of the ex-governor.
According to the complaint, the NGO said that it has the consent of those affected by the publications to initiate the action.
The law firm handling the case argued that the publications in question were “injurious to the integrity and character” of certain members of the group, including Alhaji Yari, a former Governor of Zamfara State and current senator representing Zamfara West.
The petition, which was obtained by Champion correspondent, cited two posts made via an X (former Twitter) account, known as @Jacksonpbn. The first, dated April 16, 2026, alleged that Yari was “sharing billions of dollars to politicians” with the intension to blackmail them and lobby to become Vice President. The publications allegedly claimed that Yari paid N2 billion monthly to the APC National Chairman and First Lady Remi Tinubu, among others.
The second post, dated April 22, 2026, alleged that N1.7 trillion had been traced to Yari and that it linked him to terrorism financing and money laundering.
Dexter Law Firm described the statements as “false and “injurious to the character of Senator Abdulaziz Yari,” adding that they were aimed at defaming his reputation.
The firm also referenced similar reports published by Tracknews NG on April 18, 2026, and Akelicious on April 16, 2026, which it said contained comparable allegations against the senator.
The petition further claimed that the publications deliberately targeted the ruling All Progressives Congress, the Presidency, and associates including First Lady, Senator Remi Tinubu, APC National Chairman Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, and businessman Gilbert Chagoury.
It alleged that the writers were “acting and working on behalf of the opposition parties in Nigeria to destroy the image of the strong associates of the Presidency.”
Citing the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act 2024, the law firm urged security agencies to subject the writers, Comrade Ude, Tracknews NG, and Akelicious to “the strictest investigations and form of proof,” adding that they should “face the full consequences of the law” if found culpable.
The petition demanded that the publishers be invited to justify their statements and disclose how they obtained the information.
The law firm said the executive directors of its client are “available and willing to give maximum cooperation to security agencies for a thorough investigation” of the allegations. It attached pictures of the posts and screenshots of the publications by Tracknews NG and Akelicious to the complaint.
The petition signed by A.Y Salihu of Dexter Law Firm, asked the DSS to “investigate this matter thoroughly” to safeguard the fundamental rights of its client, its affected members, and Senator Yari, and to prevent “further criminal defamation of character as the 2027 general elections approach.”
