Mahdi Shehu, a Kaduna-based activist and outspoken social critic, has been charged with five terrorism-related offences by the Department of State Services (DSS). These charges stem from his recent online and offline activities.
The charges were submitted at the Federal High Court in Kaduna last Friday, just two days after Shehu was re-arrested at his clinic in Unguwar Dosa by plain-clothes security operatives.
Earlier, in December 2024, Shehu was arrested and arraigned for sharing a misleading video on his social media platforms. According to the DSS, the activist posted “doctored videos” falsely claiming that the Nigerian government had allowed France to establish a military base in the northern part of the country.
After his initial arrest, Shehu was granted bail by the Kaduna State High Court on January 9, 2025, with conditions that included a ₦3 million bond and two respected clerics as sureties. Despite this, the DSS has intensified its legal efforts, filing an ex parte motion to detain Shehu for 60 days, citing Section 66 of the Terrorism (Prevention & Prohibition) Act, 2022. Justice Rilwan Aikawa has authorized the DSS to hold Shehu during this period for further investigations.
The charges filed against Shehu include:
- Publishing false information to create public alarm, an offence under Section 59(1) of the Criminal Code Act.
- Spreading terrorism-related falsehoods, which violates Section 26(2)(a) and (b) of the Terrorism (Prevention & Prohibition) Act, 2022.
- Intentionally disseminating false information under Section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2024 (as amended).
- Making false claims of treason under Section 41 of the Criminal Code Act.
- Misusing social media to spread allegations of threats to national security, also under Section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes Act.
These developments have drawn attention to the activist’s legal troubles, with the DSS continuing its efforts to investigate the charges against him.
