Dahiru Bauchi: Baffa Hotoro’s absence stalls cybercrime, criminal defamation case

A cybercrime and criminal defamation case against Kano-based cleric, Sheikh Adam Zubair Adam, popularly known as Baffa Hotoro, has stalled for the third time following his failure to appear before the Federal High Court in Abuja for arraignment.

Mr Hotoro is facing a two-count charge over alleged criminal defamation involving the late Islamic scholar, Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi, and another cleric, Sheikh Munir Adam Koza.

The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/87/2026, is being prosecuted under the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, as amended in 2024.

The matter is before Justice M.S. Liman, who has adjourned proceedings on three occasions largely because of the defendant’s non-appearance for arraignment.

The court has now fixed October 19, 2026, for the arraignment.

Mr Hotoro, who was arrested and granted bail in February 2026, was initially scheduled to be arraigned on April 23.

However, he was absent from court on that date, prompting the court to adjourn the matter to May 21.

When the case came up on May 21, the defendant was again absent and did not have legal representation in court. The court subsequently adjourned the matter to July 22.

At the last sitting, Mr Hotoro was again absent.

His counsel, Mr Amos, appeared before the court and presented a medical report stating that the defendant was indisposed and unable to attend the proceedings.

However, it was subsequently reported that the cleric was active on social media and had appeared on a Facebook livestream around the period of the court proceedings.

Following the repeated absence, efforts were reportedly made by the police to secure the defendant’s attendance, but the attempts were unsuccessful.

The court consequently adjourned the matter until October 19 for arraignment.

The Inspector-General of Police is listed as the complainant in the case, while Mr Hotoro is the defendant.

Alleged comments against Islamic scholars

The case stems from allegations concerning comments Mr Hotoro allegedly made against Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi and Sheikh Munir Koza.

According to the allegations, Mr Hotoro made derogatory statements against the two scholars on June 18, 2024, including allegations that they were polytheists and idolaters and were therefore prohibited from entering the Grand Mosque in Makkah.

The allegations have not been established by the court, and Mr Hotoro remains entitled to the presumption of innocence until proven guilty.

The Kano-based cleric has previously been involved in controversies arising from his criticism of Sufi scholars and other Islamic clerics.

On May 19, 2023, the Department of State Services (DSS) reportedly arrested Mr Hotoro following complaints from members of the public and the Kano State Government over alleged derogatory comments concerning Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi.

He was subsequently seen in a video apologising to Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi, his family and followers.

However, following the death of the octogenarian Islamic scholar in 2025, Mr Hotoro allegedly appeared in another video in which he made further comments about the late cleric.

The comments reportedly generated concerns over their potential to inflame sectarian tensions and cause public disorder.

Following petitions from the family of Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi and Sheikh Munir Koza, the police arrested Mr Hotoro again in February 2026. He was later granted bail.

The current case followed petitions dated July 19, 2024, and December 10, 2025, referenced as CC/CGA/NPF/013/Vol. 1/24 and CC/CGA/NPF/014/Vol. 1/25, respectively, and addressed to the Inspector-General of Police.

The petitions were filed by M.M. Nasir of Compass Chambers on behalf of Sheikh Koza and by Malam Naziru Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi on behalf of the family of the late scholar.

Scholars call for due process

Some Islamic scholars spoken to by this newspaper in Kano, Abuja, Bauchi, Jos and Kaduna said the legal process should be allowed to run its course.

The scholars, including clerics from the Salafi community, said allegations arising from religious disagreements should be resolved through lawful channels rather than public confrontations capable of heightening sectarian tensions.

They argued that allowing the court process to proceed would also provide an opportunity for the parties to present their respective positions and enable the court to determine the merits of the allegations.

Some of the scholars said the case should serve as a reminder that religious disagreements must not be allowed to degenerate into personal attacks or conduct capable of creating communal tension.

The matter is expected to come up again on October 19, when the court is scheduled to hear the arraignment of Mr Hotoro.