Alleged Fake Videos: Court Remands Mahdi In Prison
A Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Kaduna on Tuesday, December 31, 2024 ordered the remand of Dr Shehu Mahdi, a self-styled activist in the Nigerian Correctional Centre, Kaduna.
Mahdi was arrested few days ago by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), after he rebuffed pleas to pull down what was considered an inciting videos he posted online alleging that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu granted France the approval to establish a military base in northern Nigeria.
Mahdi’s narrative came on the heels of a related claim by the military leader of Niger Republic, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, claiming that France set up a military base in northern Nigeria.
Mahdi in a tweet that went viral, accused and blamed President Tinubu for endorsing the deal.
However, the Minister of Information and National Orientaion, Mr Mohammed Idris and National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu moved swiftly and debunked the allegation that was presented by the Nigerien military leader, describing it as false.
On Tuesday, the DSS arraigned Mahdi before a Chief Magistrate Court in Kaduna presided over by Magistrate Abubakar Lamido on two-count charge of conspiracy, aiding and abetting terrorism.
The DSS in the charge sheet said the offence is contrary to Section 26 (2)(3) of the Terrorism (Prevention & Prohibition) Act, 2022 and Inciting Public Disturbances Contrary to Section 78 of the Penal Code Law of Kaduna State, 2017.
In his ruling, Magistrate Lamido held that Mahdi should be remanded in a correctional facility in Kaduna until January 14, 2025, for further hearing on the matter.
The video clips posted by Mahdi have since been fact-checked by several media organizations, including Daily Trust Newspapers and The Cable online portal, and were found to be 2013 video footages of Nigerian soldiers at Bamako Airportthei, Mali, during their deployment for an African Union Peace Keeping Mission in Northern Mali.
