DSS files terrorism charges against ‘activist’ Mahdi Shehu

The Department of State Services (DSS) on Friday, January 17, 2025, at the Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna, filed five counts of terrorism-related charges against self-styled activist Muhammad Mahdi Shehu.

The move came a day after the secret police filed a motion ex parte 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.

In granting the order, Justice Rilwan Aikawa held that the DSS should keep Shehu for 60 days to enable their officers to conclude investigations.

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The counts against Shehu are:
i. False publication to cause public alarm, contrary to Section 59 (1) of the Criminal Code Act;
ii. Dissemination of terrorism-related false information, contrary to Section 26 (2) (a) and (b) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022;
iii. Intentional dissemination of false information, contrary to Section 24 (1) (b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition and Prevention, etc.) Act, 2024 (as amended);
iv. False allegation of a treasonable act, contrary to Section 41 of the Criminal Code Act; and
v. Use of social media to support false allegations of a national security threat, contrary to Section 24 (1) (b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act.

Recall that the DSS had 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.