The Department of State Services (DSS), on Friday, January 17, 2025, filed a five-count charge of terrorism-related charges against a self-styled activist, Muhammad Mahdi Shehu before a Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna.
This came a day after the DSS filed a motion exparte before the same court for an order to detain Shehu for 60 days.
The motion was filed pursuant to Section 66 of the Terrorism (Prevention & Prohibition) Act, 2022.
While granting the order, the presiding judge, Justice Rilwan Aikawa ordered that the DSS should keep Shehu for 60 days to enable their officers conclude investigations.
The charges against Shehu included; False Publication to cause public alarm contrary to Section 59 (1) of the Criminal Code Act, Dissemination of Terrorism related false information contrary to Section 26 (2) (a) and (b) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 and the Intentional dissemination of false information contrary to Section 24(1) (b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition and Prevention, etc.) Act, 2024 (as amended).
Others are False allegation of Treasonable Act contrary to Section 41 of the Criminal Code Act; and the use of social media to support false allegations of National Security Threat, contrary to Section 24(1) (b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act.
The DSS recently arrested Shehu shortly after he shared doctored videos, purporting that the Nigerian government had granted France permission to set up a military base in the North.
