Public Affairs Commentator Mahdi Shehu remanded in Kaduna prison over alleged terrorism, incitement

Kaduna-based public affairs commentator Mahdi Shehu has been remanded at the Kaduna Correctional Centre following his arraignment on Tuesday at the Chief Magistrate Court (CMC 1) on Ibrahim Taiwo Road, Kaduna.

Shehu faces two charges: conspiracy, aiding and abetting terrorism under 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.

The charges stem from allegations Shehu made on his X account, claiming that the Federal Government planned to establish a French military base in northeastern Nigeria, as purportedly suggested by Niger Republic’s military leader, Abdourahamane Tchiani. The Nigerian government has since refuted the claims, and fact-checks by credible media outlets revealed the allegations were based on a misleading video originally posted in 2013, showing Nigerian soldiers at Bamako Airport during an ECOWAS peacekeeping mission in Mali.

Shehu was arrested by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) and arraigned following an investigation. Magistrate Abubakar Lamido ordered his remand pending further hearings, which are scheduled for January 14, 2025.