Court remands social commentator Mahdi Shehu over false claim on France’s military in Borno
Mahdi Shehu, a social commentator and activist, was, on Tuesday, remanded in prison by the Chief Magistrates’ Court in Kaduna State over allegations related to the circulation of false and provocative videos.
It would be recalled that the leader of the Niger Republic, Gen Abdourahamane Tchiani, had alleged that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu received a substantial payment from France, and the European country established a military base in Maiduguri, Borno State capital.
Amid the back and forth, Shehu released a video to show that proponents of this theory were purportedly correct.
In a post which he captioned: “FGN SHOULD STOP THE DENIAL: FRANCE ARMED FORCES NOW THE OFFICIAL TRAINERS OF NIGERIA ARMED FORCES”, Shehu made several claims.
“From today, no sane person will believe Tinubu, Ribadu, all service chiefs, and any member of the blotted Tinubu media crowd on the physical presence of France troops in Northwest Nigeria.
“Just listen to the clip below to enable you understand that Tinubu and Co are taking Nigerians for a ride for granted, betraying all our laws, insulting our collective intelligences and on a journey to mortgage and destroy Nigeria.
“It is left for conscious Nigerians to open their eyes wide, act wisely, with precision, and be willing to sacrifice anything for the survival of Nigeria that few wicked people are bent on destroying. Niger is kicking them out; Nigeria is bringing them in! It seems like we will stay colonized forever!
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“With this, Terrorism will never end. But why are African leaders so stupid? What in the world are we doing to ourselves? What good is France other than to steal and to destroy?”
However, checks by Daily Trust showed the video which Shehu attached to his post was recorded in 2013.
National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu and Minister of Information Alhaji Mohammed Idris have since debunked the claims as baseless.
On Tuesday, the DSS arraigned Shehu before Magistrate Abubakar Lamido on a two-count conspiracy charge, aiding and abetting terrorism.
This, the agency said, is contrary to 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.
Magistrate Lamido ruled that Shehu be remanded in custody until January 14, when the case will resume for further proceedings.
Source: Daily Trust
