The Department of State Services (DSS) in Nigeria has filed terrorism-related charges against activist Muhammad Mahdi Shehu at the Federal High Court in Kaduna, days after his rearrest at his clinic in Unguwar Dosa.
Shehu was initially granted bail by a Kaduna State High Court on a N3 million bond with conditions, following his earlier detention over allegations of spreading misleading videos on social media. However, the DSS sought and obtained an order from Justice Rilwan Aikawa to keep him in custody for 60 days under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, to allow for further investigations.
The charges against the activist stem from accusations of intentionally disseminating false information, making treasonable allegations, and using social media to promote claims deemed a threat to national security. His arrest was linked to a viral video in which he allegedly falsely claimed that the Nigerian government had approved the establishment of a French military base in Northern Nigeria.
With the case now before the Federal High Court, Shehu faces multiple counts related to false publication, terrorism-related misinformation, and inciting public disorder.
