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*DSS Charges Activist Mahdi Shehu with Multiple Terrorism Offenses*
January 30, 2025
The Department of State Services (DSS) has filed multiple terrorism-related charges against activist Mahdi Shehu following his recent arrest in Kaduna State.
The charges stem from allegations that Shehu disseminated false information intended to incite public alarm and threaten national security.
Shehu was apprehended by DSS operatives at his clinic in the Unguwar Dosa area of Kaduna. Prior to this arrest, he had been granted bail by a Kaduna State High Court, contingent upon providing two reputable clerics as sureties within the court's jurisdiction.
However, the DSS has now submitted an ex-parte motion seeking a 60-day detention period to facilitate further investigation.
The charges against Shehu include:
1. False Publication to Cause Public Alarm: Alleged violation of Section 59(1) of the Criminal Code Act.
2. Dissemination of Terrorism-Related False Information: Alleged breach of Section 26(2)(a) and (b) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
3. Intentional Dissemination of False Information: Alleged contravention of Section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition and Prevention, etc.) Act, 2024 (as amended).
4. False Allegation of Treasonable Act: Alleged violation of Section 41 of the Criminal Code Act.
5. Use of Social Media to Support False Allegations of National Security Threat: Alleged breach of Section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act.
These charges are linked to Shehu's claims that the Nigerian government had clandestinely permitted France to establish a military base in the northern region of the country, an assertion the federal government has vehemently denied, labeling it a threat to national security.
The case underscores the ongoing tension between Nigerian authorities and activists, raising concerns about the balance between national security and freedom of expression.
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