DSS Arraigns Social Media User, Mubarak Abdullahi Over Alleged Forged Letter Linking Tinubu To US Drug Case

Nigeria’s secret police, the Department of State Services (DSS), has arraigned a social media user, Mubarak Abdullahi, before a magistrate court in Kaduna State after arresting him about two weeks ago.

An update on the case seen by Sahara Reporters said Abdullahi was arraigned on Monday before the Magistrate Court in Kabala Doki, Kaduna State, and remanded in custody pending further proceedings.

Although the update did not disclose the specific charges against him, information circulating on social media alleges that his arrest was connected to a letter purportedly written by President Bola Tinubu to United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, seeking diplomatic intervention over his past drug-related case in Chicago, United States.

Sahara Reporters learnt that the letter is the basis of the DSS case against Abdullahi.

The letter, dated September 19, 2026, was addressed to Guterres and titled, “Request for Goodwill and Diplomatic Engagement Regarding My Past Drug-Related Case in Chicago.”

In the purported letter, the writer appealed to the UN secretary-general to engage the United States government, particularly President Donald Trump, to consider intervening in the matter and facilitating the cancellation or closure of the case.

The document claimed that the issue had continued to attract media attention and public speculation despite having occurred many years ago.

It also referred to Nigeria’s relationship with the United Nations and the United States, while appealing for what it described as justice, fairness and reconciliation.

However, a social media post circulating alongside reports of Abdullahi’s arraignment alleged that the letterhead and signature on the document were forged and a copy of it obtained by Sahara Reporters showed it was AI generated.

An update on Abdullahi’s case said the hearing was expected to commence during the week, but it did not identify the offences with which he was charged or provide details of the prosecution’s allegations.