The Department of State Services (DSS) has formally lodged five counts of terrorism-related charges against self-proclaimed activist Muhammad Mahdi Shehu at the Federal High Court in Kaduna.
Security sources acquainted with the situation informed ELANZANEWS on Wednesday that this action followed the DSS’s earlier submission of an ex parte motion to the same court, seeking authorization to detain Shehu for a period of 60 days.
This motion was filed in accordance with Section 66 of the Terrorism (Prevention & Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Justice Rilwan Aikawa granted the order, allowing the DSS to hold Shehu for 60 days to facilitate the completion of their investigations.
The specific charges against Shehu include:
1. False publication aimed at causing public alarm, in violation of Section 59 (1) of the Criminal Code Act;
2. Dissemination of terrorism-related false information, contrary to Sections 26 (2) (a) and (b) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022;
3. Intentional dissemination of false information, violating Section 24(1) (b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition and Prevention) Act, 2024 (as amended);
4. False allegations of treasonable acts, contrary to Section 41 of the Criminal Code Act; and
5. Use of social media to propagate false claims regarding national security threats, in violation of Section 24(1) (b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act.
Mahdi Shehu was apprehended by the DSS shortly after he circulated edited videos suggesting that the Nigerian government had permitted France to establish a military base in the northern region of the country.
