Activist Nansel Lar Remanded In Prison After Online Posts Demanding Accountability In Plateau Local Govt Areas

Activist Nansel Selman Lar has been remanded in prison custody after a series of arrests and detentions by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) over petitions linked to Langtang North and Langtang South Local Government Areas of Plateau State, with authorities now charging him before the Federal High Court in Jos over alleged cyber-related offences.

SaharaReporters gathered that Lar's ordeal began on June 23, 2026, when he honoured an invitation by the CID following petitions reportedly filed against him over issues concerning the two local government areas.

After responding to the allegations, he was detained the same day.

Sources familiar with the investigation told SaharaReporters that detectives later searched his residence before granting him administrative bail on June 24 pending the conclusion of investigations.

His freedom, however, lasted barely a day.

Lar was rearrested on June 25 over another petition relating to Langtang South Local Government Area and detained once again at the CID.

He was granted administrative bail on June 27 after spending two more days in custody.

On June 30, detectives again took him into custody for what sources described as pre-arraignment procedures.

He was subsequently arraigned before the Federal High Court in Jos on July 1 and remanded in prison custody, where he has remained.

His repeated arrests and continued detention have drawn concern from supporters and civil society observers, who have questioned the handling of the case and urged authorities to ensure due process and transparency.

Court documents obtained by SaharaReporters show that Lar has been charged by the Commissioner of Police, Plateau State Command, before the Federal High Court, Jos Judicial Division.

The charge, dated July 6, 2026, names Lar, 33, as the first defendant alongside four other persons who are currently at large.

According to the charge sheet, the offences allegedly occurred between April 26 and April 27, 2026, in Zaramaganda, Jos South Local Government Area.

The prosecution alleged that the defendants orchestrated an online campaign accusing the Executive Chairman of Langtang South Local Government Area, Hon. Nanfa Nbin Alhassan, of embezzlement.

The five-count charge includes conspiracy, cyberstalking, defamation of character, inciting disturbance, and criminal intimidation.

Police alleged that Lar and the other defendants used Facebook and WhatsApp to circulate messages described as "grossly offensive and menacing," while publishing allegations intended to damage the reputation of the council chairman.

The charge further alleged that some of the online posts encouraged protests and attacks capable of causing a breach of public peace.

The offences were brought under provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, and the Penal Code Act.

The prosecution said the case followed a petition submitted by Alhassan over what he described as defamatory and inflammatory online publications directed at him and his administration.

Arrest Linked To Open Letter

Meanwhile, sources told SaharaReporters that Lar's arrest may also be connected to his publication of an open letter addressed to Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang calling for accountability in the management of public funds in Langtang North and Langtang South local government areas.

According to the sources, Lar shared the letter on his Facebook Reels and announced plans to further discuss its contents on his social media platforms.

The letter, dated June 22, 2026, was titled, "Emergency Intervention Is Needed for N614.9 Budget Performance of Langtang North and Total Opacity in Langtang South."

In the letter, the author reportedly urged Governor Mutfwang to declare the two local government areas as areas of special concern, alleging poor execution of capital projects, inadequate budget implementation, and a lack of transparency in the management of public funds.

The letter also called for urgent government intervention into what it described as widespread failures in project execution and financial accountability at the local government level.

Supporters of Lar have argued that the sequence of petitions, repeated arrests, and eventual prosecution raises questions about whether the criminal case is connected to his decision to publicise allegations of financial mismanagement involving the two councils.