The Federal Government has accused Bello Bodejo, president of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, of creating an ethnic militia in the country.
This is even as the government, on Wednesday, filed charges bordering on terrorism, against Bodejo who has been in the custody of the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) since his arrest in January.
The Miyetti Allah leader was arrested in Nasarawa State days after the organisation launched a vigilante group named, Kungiya Zaman Lafiya.
At the inauguration of the 1,144-man Fulani outfit on January 17, 2024, Bodejo said the move was to tackle banditry, cattle rustling and all forms of insecurity in Nasarawa State.
Following his arrest, the Miyetti Allah leader filed a fundamental rights suit before the Federal High Court in Abuja to challenge his prolonged detention.
In response, the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi(SAN), on February 5 filed a motion ex parte, seeking to remand Bodejo pending the conclusion of the investigation and arraignment in court.
Justice Inyang Ekwo, who is hearing Bodejo’s suit, granted the Federal Government permission to detain him for 15 days in the custody of the Defence Intelligence Agency.
Subsequently, the judge ordered the Federal Government to either file charges against the Miyetti Allah leader or release him.
At the resumed proceedings on Wednesday, the judge asked the counsel for the prosecution, Y.A. Imana, if charges had been filed against Bodejo.
“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 judge demanded.
In response, the lawyer told the judge, “It was filed yesterday.” The judge, however, said the charge was not before him.
According to the charge sheet, the Federal Government accused Bodejo of establishing an ethnic militia group without authorisation.
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 hear his bail application pending his client’s arraignment.
The prosecution counsel, however, opposed the prayer for bail.
Justice Ekwo adjourned till March 22 for ruling on Bodejo’s bail application.
