A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has directed the Federal Government to file charges against Bello Bodejo, the detained President of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, within seven days.
This order was issued by Justice Inyang Ekwo after the expiration of an earlier order granting the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) permission to remand Bodejo for 15 days in the custody of the Defence Intelligence Agency (NIA) pending the conclusion of his investigation.
The motion, dated and filed on February 5 by M.B. Abubakar, Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation in the office of the AGF, cited allegations of raising an armed militia detrimental to national unity, contrary to the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as the basis for Bodejo’s arrest on January 23 in Malia, Nasarawa State.
Noma Wando, a litigation officer in the Ministry of Justice, deposed to an affidavit stating that Bodejo’s arrest was based on suspicions of offences threatening national security under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Wando expressed concerns that Bodejo might continue to commit similar or more serious offences if released, and that he might also evade trial or jump bail.
Justice Ekwo had initially granted the ex-parte motion on February 7 and adjourned the matter until today for a report. However, it was revealed that the NIA had forwarded Bodejo’s statement to the AGF’s office only the day before, hindering the filing of charges within the specified timeframe.
F.N. Umoh, representing the prosecution, requested seven additional days to file the charges as directed by the court. In response, Abdulkarim Maude, appearing for Bodejo, informed the court of their application for the enforcement of his fundamental rights filed on February 7 and served to the prosecution.
Justice Ekwo, aiming to streamline proceedings, granted the prosecution seven days to file the charges, scheduling March 1 for Bodejo to enter his plea.
