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Nigerian Government has charged the leader of the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore group, Bello Bodejo, with the unlawful establishment of an ethnic militia group.
In a case filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja on March 12 the Federal Government accused Bodejo of establishing an ethnic militia group without an approval from the government.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe Federal Government highlighted the implications of the act on national security and public safety, adding that it is an offence punishable under Section 29 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
“That you, Bello Bodejo, male, adult, on or before the 17th Day of January, 2024, at Lafia, Nasarawa State, committed an offence to wit: You established an ethnic militia known as Kungiya Zaman Lafiya without authorization and thereby committed an act prejudicial to national security and public safety, and an offence punishable under Section of 29 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022,” a count in the charge read.
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Bodejo was arrested by security personnel at the Miyetti Allah headquarters in the Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State on January 23, not long after he inaugurated a vigilante group.
Subsequently, the Federal High Court issued an order to the Attorney General of the Federation’s (AGF) office to remand Bodejo until the conclusion of investigation and his arraignment in court.
On February 5, Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court issued an order allowing for Bodejo to be detained for 15 days in response to an ex-parte motion filed by the AGF’s office.
Justice Ekwo on February 22, prolonged the detention time for seven days following the expiration of the initial 15-day period.
When the seven days had passed and the judge saw that the AGF’s office had not yet filed charges against the detainee, he issued an order for Bodejo’s appearance in court.
During Wednesday’s sitting, the state failed to bring Badejo to court. Justice Ekwo asked Mrs. Yetunde Imana, a lawyer from the AGF’s office, on whether charges had been brought against Bodejo.
In response, Mrs. Imana stated that a charge had been lodged the day before.
The judge however pointed out that the charge was not in the court’s file.
Mohammed Sheriff, Bodejo’s attorney, informed about a pending bail application he had submitted on his client’s behalf before the court.
Sheriff then moved the motion and asked the judge to release his client on bail.
“We pray this court to dismiss the defendant’s application, as it is a matter that touches on national security,” Mrs. Imana responded.
Judge Ekwo postponed making a decision on the bail application until March 22.
Meanwhile, some members of the Miyetti Allah group protested the detention of their leader while proceedings were ongoing in the courtroom.
