By SUNTV Global Channel News Desk
Thursday, July 9, 2026 | Jos, Plateau State
Activist Nansel Selman Lar has been remanded in prison custody following his arraignment before the Federal High Court in Jos over allegations linked to online publications calling for accountability in Langtang North and Langtang South Local Government Areas of Plateau State.
According to court documents, Lar is facing a five-count charge filed by the Nigeria Police Force, bordering on conspiracy, cyberstalking, defamation, incitement of public disturbance, and criminal intimidation under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, and the Penal Code.
The activist’s legal troubles reportedly began on June 23, 2026, when he honoured an invitation from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) over petitions concerning activities in Langtang North and Langtang South Local Government Areas. He was detained after questioning and later granted administrative bail on June 24.
However, Lar was rearrested on June 25 following another petition related to Langtang South and spent two more days in detention before being released on administrative bail on June 27.
Authorities again took him into custody on June 30 for pre-arraignment procedures before he was formally arraigned at the Federal High Court in Jos on July 1, where the court ordered that he be remanded in prison pending further proceedings.
According to the prosecution, Lar and four other suspects currently at large allegedly used Facebook and WhatsApp between April 26 and April 27, 2026, to circulate messages accusing the Executive Chairman of Langtang South Local Government Area, Nanfa Nbin Alhassan, of financial misconduct.
The police alleged that the online publications were defamatory, offensive, and capable of inciting public unrest while damaging the reputation of the council chairman.
Supporters of the activist, however, have questioned the repeated arrests and continued detention, arguing that the prosecution may be connected to an open letter Lar published urging Caleb Mutfwang to investigate alleged financial mismanagement in Langtang North and Langtang South local government councils.
The letter, titled “Emergency Intervention Is Needed for N614.9 Budget Performance of Langtang North and Total Opacity in Langtang South,” called on the Plateau State Government to probe the implementation of public projects and improve transparency in the management of public funds.
As of the time of filing this report, the case remains before the Federal High Court in Jos, while civil society groups and supporters continue to call for due process, transparency, and the protection of citizens’ rights during judicial proceedings.
