Kaduna-based activist, Muhammad Mahdi Shehu, on Wednesday was charged with terrorism and other offences and brought before Justice Rilwan Aikawa at the Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna.
This was sequel to a motion ex parte filed by the Department of State Services (DSS) on Friday, January 17, 2025.
The secret service is charging Shehu with false publication to cause public alarm, contrary to Section 59(1) of the Criminal Code Act; Dissemination of terrorism-related false information, contrary to Section 26(2)(a) and (b) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022; and Intentional dissemination of false information, contrary to Section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition and Prevention, etc.) Act, 2024 (as amended).
Others are false allegations of treasonable acts, contrary to Section 41 of the Criminal Code Act and the use of social media to support false allegations of a national security threat, contrary to Section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition and Prevention, etc.) Act.
It also sought an order to detain Shehu for 60 days.
Justice Aikawa granted the DSS request to allow their officers to conclude investigations.
The DSS arrested Shehu following his circulation of doctored videos claiming that the Nigerian government had allowed France to establish a military base in northern Nigeria.
