The Department of State Service, DSS, has approach the court to file a five count charges against the embattled popular activist, Mahdi Shehu. It was learned that the move is coming on the heel of his re-arrest by the secret police operatives last week at his clinic at Unguwar Dosa, Kaduna.
Two weeks ago, a Kaduna State High Court had granted Mr Shehu bail in the amount of N3million, with the condition that he provides two reputable sureties whom both should be clerics.
Mr Shehu’s was charged with offence of spreading a disinformation amongst public through the disseminating a misleading videos that went viral among Nigerians in a social media space.
On January 2, 2025, a Chief Magistrate’s Court sitting in Kaduna had previously ordered Shehu’s detention following his social media post perceived as a threat to national security.
Subsequently, the current one was filed at the Federal High Court in Kaduna, after the SSS submitted an ex parte motion to detain Shehu for 60 days to facilitate their comprehensive investigation.
This motion was submitted in accordance with Section 66 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Justice Rilwan Aikawa in his ruling ordered the DSS to detain Mahdi Shehu, for 60 days as requested to allow them complete its investigation processes.
The charges slammed against Mr Shehu include:
1. False Publication to Cause Public Alarm, contrary to Section 59(1) of the Criminal Code Act;
2. Dissemination of Terrorism-Related False Information, against Section 26(2)(a) and (b) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022;
3. Intentional Dissemination of False Information, contrary to Section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition and Prevention, etc.) Act, 2024 (as amended);
4. False Allegation of Treasonable Act, in violation of Section 41 of the Criminal Code Act; and
5. Use of Social Media to Support False Allegations of National Security Threat, contrary to Section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act.
Recently, the SSS had apprehended Shehu after he shared doctored videos that falsely claimed the Nigerian government had permitted France to establish a military base in Northern Nigeria, the claim the Nigerian military debunked.
Meanwhile,Shehu is now facing charges that include conspiracy, aiding and abetting terrorism, and inciting public disorder to cause disharmony among Nigerian.