THE Federal Government has arraigned the leader of the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore group, Bello Bodejo, before a Federal High Court in Abuja for terrorism-related offences.
Bodejo was arraigned on Friday, March 22, where he was accused of establishing and supporting an ethnic militia group – Kungiya Zaman Lafiya.
The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) office filed a three-count charge against him.
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According to the AGF’s Office, Bodejo had breached the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act of 2022.
The accused entered a not-guilty plea to the charges.
The presiding judge, Inyang Ekwo, ordered him detained in the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) custody.
Ekwo had, on March 13, fixed March 22 for ruling on the motion following the failure of the Federal Government to file a charge and arraign Bodejo in court for an alleged terrorism offence.
Upon resumed hearing on Friday, Ekwo, in his ruling, held that events had overtaken the motion.
The judge ordered the defendant to enter his plea.
He pleaded not guilty to the charge, following which the prosecution lawyer, M. B. Abubakar, pleaded with the court to order his remand in the custody of the Defence Intelligence Agency, DIA.
Ekwo granted the request and adjourned till May 27 for the commencement of trial.
On Wednesday, March 13, members of “Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore” embarked on a peaceful protest at the Federal High Court, Abuja, to demand the release of Bodejo.
The group’s spokesperson, Kabir Matazu, described Bodejo’s arrest and detention as illegal.
He emphasised that it was crucial to uphold the rule of law in democracy. He pleaded with the security services in Nigeria to free Bodejo immediately and without restrictions.
The protest occurred the same day a Federal High Court planned to hear Bodejo’s motion to be released from the Defence Intelligence Agency’s (DIA) custody.
The judge, Ekwo, had earlier issued an order directing the Federal Government to charge Bodejo within seven days after remanding him in DIA custody for 15 days while investigations were being completed.
The Federal Government had filed a motion ex parte to detain Bodejo in the National Intelligence Agency’s (NIA) custody until the end of the investigations and his arraignment in court.
According to the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, Bodejo was arrested on suspicion of organising an armed militia and posing a threat to national security.
The allegation against him was filed in a motion dated February 5 and submitted by the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation. MB Abubakar.
Bodejo was detained after being taken into custody on January 23 in Malia, Nasarawa State.
A reporter with the ICIR
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