Kaduna-based public commentator Mahadi Shehu has been sent to prison after appearing in court on Tuesday at the Chief Magistrate’s Court on Ibrahim Taiwo Road, Kaduna.
He is facing two charges: conspiracy and aiding terrorism under the Terrorism (Prevention & Prohibition) Act, 2022, as well as inciting public unrest under Kaduna State’s Penal Code Law, 2017.
Shehu made a post on X (formerly Twitter) claiming the Nigerian government planned to allow a French military base in the North-East, based on a statement allegedly made by Niger’s military leader, Abdourahamane Tchiani. However, the Nigerian government denied the claim.
Fact-checkers from reliable media sources revealed that the video Shehu referred to was misleading. The video, originally posted on YouTube in January 2013, showed Nigerian soldiers at Bamako Airport in Mali during an ECOWAS peacekeeping mission, not a new military base.
Shehu was arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) and brought to court after investigations. The presiding judge, Magistrate Abubakar Lamido, ordered Shehu’s detention in prison until the case continues on January 14, 2025.
