The government has brought a terrorism-related charge against Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore's President, Bello Bodejo.
Bodejo has been in the custody of the Defence Intelligence Agency since he was arrested on January 23.
The Miyetti Allah leader was arrested in Nasarawa State a few days after the organization launched a vigilante group called Kungiya Zaman Lafiya.
Bodejo had announced the establishment of a 1,144-man Fulani outfit on January 17, 2024, stating that it was aimed at addressing banditry, cattle rustling, and insecurity in Nasarawa State.
After his arrest, the Miyetti Allah leader filed a lawsuit asserting his fundamental rights at the Federal High Court in Abuja to challenge his prolonged detention.
In response, the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi(SAN), filed a motion ex parte on February 5, seeking to keep Bodejo in custody until the investigation is finished and he is brought to court.
Justice Inyang Ekwo, handling Bodejo’s case, allowed the Federal Government to detain him for 15 days in the custody of the Defence Intelligence Agency.
Later, the judge ordered the Federal Government to either file charges against the Miyetti Allah leader or release him.
During the subsequent hearing, the judge asked the prosecution's counsel, Y.A. Imana, if charges had been filed against Bodejo.
The judge questioned, “The court ordered you to charge the defendant in a proper court. Where is the evidence of that filing before this court?”
In response, the lawyer told the judge, “It was filed yesterday.”
However, the judge remarked that the charge was not presented to him.
Our reporter also noticed that the DIA did not bring Bodejo to court.
Nonetheless, according to the charge sheet seen by the reporter, the Federal Government accused Bodejo of establishing an ethnic militia group without authorization.
The Federal Government stated that Bodejo’s action was “prejudicial to national security and public safety and punishable under Section 29 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022.”
Bodejo’s lawyer, Mohammed Sheriff, subsequently urged the court to consider his bail application until his client is arraigned.
The prosecution counsel, however, objected to the bail request.
“We request this court to reject the defendant's application because it concerns national security,” stated the Federal Government’s lawyer.
Justice Ekwo postponed the ruling on Bodejo’s bail application to March 22.
Meanwhile, a group of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore members protested at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday, demanding Bodejo’s unconditional release.
They displayed a large banner with Bodejo's photo and the words “Free Bello Bodejo”. Other protesters, mostly women, held placards along the road.
Kabir Matazu, speaking on behalf of the protesters, criticized the DIA’s refusal to comply with court orders to either try Bodejo or release him.
He said, “We are in a democratic society, and in a democratic society, respect for the rule of law is essential. You cannot arrest and detain an individual without charging them in a democracy.
“That’s why we have gathered our members from all over the country to come here to protest and also to make our voice heard that the Nigerian security agencies should, without any more delay, release him unconditionally.”
Matazu expressed sorrow that Bodejo’s family and friends had not yet seen him since he was arrested.
Matazu expressed, “It is unfortunate that until now, his family members were not allowed to see him.
“He is not a criminal. He has no criminal record. He will not escape and leave this country. So, if not due to the failure of our security agencies, there are bandits in the forest who they should have pursued.”
