Fake Video: Court grants activist Mahdi Shehu N3m bail

A Kaduna State High Court has granted activist Mahdi Shehu bail following his detention over allegations of sharing a misleading video that allegedly threatened national security.

Presiding Justice Murtala J. Zubair on Thursday granted Shehu bail in the sum of ₦3 million with two sureties in like sum. The court stipulated that the sureties must be renowned clerics.

Shehu was initially detained at the Kaduna Correctional Service Facility on January 2, 2025, by order of the Chief Magistrates’ Court (CMC 1) on Ibrahim Taiwo Road, Kaduna. He faced charges of conspiracy, aiding and abetting terrorism, and inciting public disturbances.

In his ruling, Justice Zubair noted that the decision to grant or deny bail depends on the court’s assessment of the circumstances and the criteria presented in each case.

Justice Zubair held that, “The mere and unverified statement by the Respondent that if bail is granted, it will jeopardize their case has no probative significance to justify the withholding of bail without substantiating if with evidence.

“In exercising its discretion, the court is bound to examine the evidence before it without considering any extraneous matter. There is no room for the court to express its sentiments. It is a hard matter of law, facts and circumstances which the court considers without being emotional, sensitive or sentimental.

“Generally, the court will always have it in mind that the Defendant is presumed innocent at this stage of the proceedings and that the main function of bail is to ensure the presence of the Defendant at the trial.

“Having listened carefully to the various submissions and considered the documents placed before me and based on the above analysis, I am of the humble view that the applicant has made out a case for his admittance to bail pending his arraignment before a competent judge. This court shall exercise its discretion in favour of the applicant who has sufficiently placed before me facts that he will abide by the conditions if released on bail. There is no proof of evidence before the court. It is for this reason that I shall exercise my discretion in favour of the Applicant and assert that the defendant is entitled to bail.

“Accordingly, bail is hereby granted to the Applicant in the sum of N3,000,000.00 and two sureties in the like sum. The sureties shall be renowned clerics. The defendant shall deposit his international passport and shall not travel out of the country without the leave of the court. The defendant shall also report to the office of the Respondent the first working day of every month. Failure of the defendant to comply with the above conditions he shall remain in custody.”