A Kaduna State High Court has granted activist Mahdi Shehu bail in the sum of N3 million, alongside two sureties of the same amount. The court specified that the sureties must be prominent religious clerics.
Shehu was arrested by security agencies following accusations of disseminating a viral video deemed misleading.
Earlier, on January 2, 2025, a Chief Magistrates’ Court in Kaduna had ordered his remand at the Kaduna Correctional Service Facility. The charges against him included conspiracy, aiding and abetting terrorism, and inciting public unrest.
Delivering the bail ruling on Thursday, Justice Murtala J. Zubair stated that granting or denying bail is contingent on several legal criteria. The judge emphasized the presumption of innocence for defendants at this stage and clarified that courts must base their decisions on facts and the law, devoid of emotions or sentiments.
Justice Zubair remarked: “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 it with evidence.”
He added: “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.”
After reviewing the submissions and documents presented, the court concluded that the defendant had demonstrated sufficient reasons for bail. Justice Zubair ruled:
“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 court’s permission. The defendant shall also report to the office of the Respondent on the first working day of every month. Failure to comply with these conditions will result in the defendant remaining in custody.”
The case continues as Shehu awaits his arraignment before a competent court.
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