The Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) on Wednesday in Abuja declined to produce the detained President of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Bello Bodejo, before the Federal High Court for arraignment.
Bodejo was arrested on January 23 at the Miyetti Allah’s office in Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State over the alleged unveiling and arming of a vigilante group.
The Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), had on February 5 filed a motion ex parte seeking to remand Bodejo pending the conclusion of the investigation by DIA and his arraignment in court.
Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja had, upon the ex parte application, ordered that Bodejo be remanded for 15 days.
At the expiration of the 15 days on February 22, the judge gave the Federal Government seven days to file a charge against Bodejo.
At the last adjourned date, the judge reiterated his order that Bodejo be brought before a competent court of jurisdiction.
Additionally, Bodejo’s counsel, Mohammed Sheriff, filed an application seeking his client’s unconditional release from the Defence Intelligence Agency’s custody.
During the proceedings on Wednesday, Bodejo was not present in court.
The judge asked the counsel for the prosecution, Y.A. Imana, if charges had been filed against Bodejo.
He said, “The court made an order that you should charge the defendant before a court of competent jurisdiction. Where is the evidence that you filed before this court?”
The government lawyer responded, “It was filed yesterday.”
The judge noted that the charge was not before him.
At this point, counsel to Bodejo, Mr. Sheriff, urged the court to hear his bail application.
He said, “Our application is dated February 26, 2024, seeking to admit the applicant to bail pending arraignment before a competent court.”
The prosecution counsel urged the court to dismiss the application.
She said, “We pray this court will dismiss the application of the defendant because it is a matter that touches on national security.”
Justice Ekwo, after hearing arguments from both sides, fixed March 22 for ruling on Bodejo’s bail application.
Meanwhile, in a charge dated March 12, the federal government accused Bodejo of establishing an ethnic militia group without authorization.
The count read, “That you, Bello Bodejo, Male, Adult, on or before the 17th Day of January, 2024, at Lafia, Nasarawa State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, committed to commit 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, an offence punishable under Section 29 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”
DIA declines to produce Miyetti Allah’s president in court
