Baffa Hotoro’s Repeated Absence Delays Cybercrime, Defamation Arraignment

The arraignment of Kano-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Adam Zubair Adam, popularly known as Baffa Hotoro, has been adjourned for the third time following his failure to appear before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

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

The case, filed as 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 now fixed October 19, 2026, for the defendant’s arraignment.

Hotoro was initially scheduled to appear in court on April 23, 2026, but his absence led to an adjournment until May 21.

He was again absent when the matter came up on May 21 and was reportedly without legal representation, prompting another adjournment to July 22.

At the latest sitting, Hotoro once again failed to appear.
His counsel, Mr Amos, appeared in court and submitted a medical report indicating that the cleric was indisposed and unable to attend the proceedings.

However, reports subsequently emerged that Hotoro had remained active on social media and appeared in a Facebook livestream around the period of the court proceedings.

Following his repeated absence, attempts were reportedly made by the police to secure his attendance, but those efforts were unsuccessful.

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

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

Allegations Against Islamic Scholars
The case arose from comments Hotoro allegedly made about Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi and Sheikh Munir Koza on June 18, 2024.

According to the allegations, the cleric made derogatory remarks against the two scholars, including allegedly describing them as polytheists and idolaters and claiming that they were not permitted to enter the Grand Mosque in Makkah.

The allegations remain unproven, as the case is yet to proceed to trial. Hotoro is presumed innocent unless and until he is found guilty by a competent court.

Hotoro has previously attracted controversy over his criticism of Sufi scholars and other Islamic clerics.

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

He later appeared in a video apologising to Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi, his family and followers.

Following the death of the renowned Islamic scholar in 2025, Hotoro was again alleged to have made comments concerning the late cleric in a video, triggering concerns over their possible impact on religious harmony and public order.

The police subsequently arrested him in February 2026 after receiving petitions from the family of Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi and Sheikh Munir Koza. He was later granted bail.

The current case followed petitions dated July 19, 2024, and December 10, 2025, submitted to the Inspector-General of Police.

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

The case is expected to return before the Federal High Court in Abuja on October 19, 2026, when Hotoro is scheduled to be arraigned.