A Chief Magistrate Court in Kaduna has ordered the remand of activist and public commentator, Shehu Mahdi, at the Nigerian Correctional Centre, Kaduna. Mahdi’s arrest came after he ignored warnings from the Department of State Services (DSS) to delete videos accusing President Bola Tinubu of permitting France to establish a military presence in northern Nigeria ¹.
The allegations surfaced shortly after Niger Republic’s military leader, Abdourahamane Tchiani, claimed that France had set up a military base in Nigeria. However, Mahdi’s video allegations, which circulated widely on social media, were fact-checked by PLATFORM TIMES and Daily Trust and found to be false ².
The videos, initially presented as evidence of the alleged military base, were actually 2013 footage of Nigerian soldiers at Bamako Airport, Mali, during an African Union peacekeeping mission. Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and Minister of Information, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, have categorically dismissed Mahdi’s claims as baseless ².
The DSS arraigned Mahdi on Tuesday before Magistrate Abubakar Lamido on two counts: conspiracy, aiding and abetting terrorism, under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and inciting public disturbances, contrary to the Penal Code Law of Kaduna State, 2017 ¹ ².
Magistrate Lamido ruled that Mahdi would remain in custody until the next hearing, scheduled for January 14, 2025. The court’s decision marks a significant development in the case, highlighting the importance of verifying information before sharing it publicly ¹.
Mahdi’s arrest and remand have sparked discussions about the responsible use of social media and the dangers of spreading false information. Many have emphasized the need for fact-checking and verification, particularly in sensitive matters involving national security ³.
The case is set to continue on January 14, 2025, and will likely draw further attention to the issues of misinformation and national security in Nigeria.
