By Hadiza Abdulkadir
A local councillor in the United Kingdom has been charged over an alleged social media post about Nigerians that prosecutors described as grossly offensive.
Glenn Gibbins, a councillor representing Reform UK in Sunderland, was charged under the Communications Act 2003 following an investigation into a post made in 2024. Authorities allege the post suggested Nigerians should be “melted down” and used to fill potholes.
The Crown Prosecution Service authorised the charge, and Gibbins is scheduled to appear in court in August.
Gibbins was elected during the local elections in May 2026. He was suspended by Reform UK over the alleged post but was reinstated in June after apologising and receiving a final written warning from the party.
Reform UK is a right-wing populist political party in the United Kingdom. The criminal case against Gibbins is now before the courts.