Shehu was arrested late last year after he shared doctored videos that falsely claimed the Nigerian government had permitted France to establish a military base in Northern Nigeria. On January 2, 2025, a Chief Magistrate’s Court in Kaduna ordered his detention due to the social media post perceived as a threat to national security. However, a Kaduna State High Court had granted Mahdi Shehu bail in the amount of N3 million two weeks ago, with the condition that he provides two reputable clerics as sureties.