DSS files terrorism charges against activist Mahdi Shehu
By Jeffrey Agbo
The Department of State Services (DSS) has levelled five terrorism-related charges against Kaduna-based activist and social critic, Mahdi Shehu, following his online and offline activities.
The charges were filed at the Federal High Court in Kaduna last Friday, two days after Shehu was re-arrested by plain-clothes security operatives at his clinic in Unguwar Dosa.
Shehu’s recent arrest follows his December 2024 arraignment for sharing a video said to be misleading on social media. The DSS alleged that he disseminated doctored footage claiming the Nigerian government had allowed France to establish a military base in the North.
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Although he was granted bail by the Kaduna State High Court on January 9, 2025, under conditions including ₦3 million and two clerical sureties, the DSS has now secured a 60-day detention order for further investigations under Section 66 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
“In granting the order, Justice Rilwan Aikawa held that the DSS should keep Shehu for 60 days to enable their officers conclude investigations,” Daily Trust quoted a DSS source as saying.
The charges against Shehu include false publication to cause public alarm, dissemination of terrorism-related false information, intentional dissemination of false information via social media, false allegations of treasonable acts, and supporting claims of national security threats, violating provisions of the Criminal Code Act, Terrorism Act, and Cybercrimes Act.
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