Saturday, October 3, 2026

Malami violates Buhari Twitter ban, deploys VPN to deactivate account

This action by qualifies Mr Malami for arrest and prosecution, going by his directive.

• June 8, 2021
Malami and screenshot
A photo of Malami and screenshot used to illustrate the story

Attorney-General Abubakar Malami has violated President Muhammadu Buhari’s  ban on Twitter in Nigeria.

Mr Malami was caught using virtual private network (VPN) to bypass Buhari regime’s access restriction to login in to the micro-blogging site on Tuesday.

He gleefully announced the deactivation of his Twitter account on Facebook not minding that he has broken an order laid by his principal.

The Nigerian government last week Friday banned Twitter, blocking citizens’ access to the micro-blogging platform after Mr Buhari’s tweet, deemed a threat to commit genocide in the fashion of the civil war genocide against the South-East people was deleted by Twitter.

On Saturday afternoon, Mr Malami doubled down on government’s action by issuing a directive for the prosecution of Nigerians seen bypassing the government’s order. 

Peoples Gazette, however, observed that Mr Malami deactivated his account on Tuesday, an action that requires one to first login to the micro-blogging site to do. 

This action qualifies Mr Malami for arrest and prosecution, going by his directive.

Since the declaration of Twitter ban, Nigerians have condemned the action as draconian and illegal.

Many citizens continue to defy the government to use the micro-blogging platform. 

Many activists and foreign missions in Nigeria say Twitter ban is an attack on the freedom of expression in Nigeria by the Buhari regime.

Before now, the Buhari-led government has been scheming to gag the free speech through an obnoxious social media Bill which continues to encounter pushbacks from Nigerians.

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

Nigerian Bar Association

States

Independence: NBA urges Nigerians to expect better future

The NBA said that ordinary Nigerians should be deriving benefit from the subsidy removal rather than hardship.

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

An image showing Guma LG on the Benue State map.

States

Benue reviews outdated laws to address emerging challenges

The commissioner said the review process was capital-intensive.

Family members, colleagues and friends, during a Night of Tribute for Mr Peter Onwubuariri, an Assistant Director with NAN attached to the Presidential Villa

States

Onwubuariri’s life, legacy call for spiritual reflection at NUJ night of tributes

Mr Odigie said the deceased’s life demonstrated that true consistency could only be found in God.

Abubakar Sadiq-Yelwa

NationWide

N-HYPADEC, ministry partner to boost livestock production, rural development

Mr Sadiq-Yelwa expressed appreciation to the minister for visiting the commission.

Agbara Nla

Showbiz

“Agbara Nla: The Return” grosses N71 million, tops weekend chart

The film delivers a dramatic continuation of the faith-based story that resonated strongly with audiences across the region.

Wike and Amaechi

Heading 5

Wike says Amaechi achieved nothing as speaker, Rivers governor, minister

Mr Wike stated, “What can anybody point to that he attracted to Evo Kingdom or Rivers State in all those 24 years? Nothing! Not one single thing!”

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq

Uncategorized

Gov. AbdulRazaq declares Monday work-free day for Kwara teachers

The governor said the work-free day for teachers in the state was to commemorate the 2026 World Teachers’ Day.