By: Bayero Ade
Mahdi Shehu, a prominent human rights activist and commentator from Kaduna, has been remanded in prison after being arraigned at the Chief Magistrate’s Court on Ibrahim Taiwo Road.
According to PUNCH, Shehu faces charges of conspiracy and aiding terrorism under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act of 2022, as well as inciting public unrest under the Kaduna State Penal Code Law of 2017.
The charges stem from a post Shehu made on his X (formerly Twitter) account, where he alleged that the Federal Government was planning to establish a French military base in Nigeria’s North-East. Shehu referenced claims made by Niger’s military leader, Abdourahamane Tchiani. However, the Nigerian government later refuted these allegations.
Further investigation by credible media outlets revealed that the video Shehu cited was misleading. It was found to depict Nigerian soldiers at Bamako Airport in Mali during an ECOWAS peacekeeping mission in 2013, rather than any recent activity.
Following his arrest by the Department of State Services (DSS) and an investigation, Shehu was brought before the court. Magistrate Abubakar Lamido ordered that he be remanded in prison until the case resumes on January 14, 2025.
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