Court remands Miyetti Allah’s leader in DIA custody

A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered that Bello Bodejo, leader of the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore group, be kept in DIA custody.

The remand order was issued following his Friday arraignment by Justice Inyang Ekwo.

Bodejo was detained on January 23 at the Miyetti Allah headquarters in Karu Local Government Area, Nasarawa State, for revealing the existence of a vigilante organisation.

On February 5, the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), filed a request ex parte to remand Bodejo pending the outcome of the inquiry and arraignment in court.

At the expiration of the order, the DIA was ordered by the judge to either arraign the Miyetti Allah president or admit him to bail.

However, the DIA brought Bodejo to court, accompanied by heavily armed service members.

In the FHC/ABJ/CR/141/2024 complaint, the Federal Government preferred three counts of terrorism against Bodejo. He was accused of forming the group without authority.

“That you, Bello Bodejo A. male, 38 years old, of NO 2 Bodejo Street, Tundun Wada, Karu LGA, Nasarawa State, sometime in January 2024, did commit an offence to wit: you managed and participated in activities which, in your knowledge, are connected with acts prejudicial to national security and public safety.

“You thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 2(3)(g)(xii) and Section 12(a) of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act 2022.

“That you, Bello Bodejo A. male, 38 years old, of NO. 2 Bodejo Street, Tundun Wada, Karu LGA, Nasarawa State, sometime in January 2024, did commit an offence to wit: you provided material assistance logistics and transportation to 1,000 men, which in your knowledge is connected with an act prejudicial to national security and public safety.

“You thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 2 (3) (g) (xii) and Section 13 (2) (b) of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act 2022,” the charges partly read.

When the charges were read to the Miyetti Allah leader, Bodejo pleaded not guilty.

Mohammed Abubakar, counsel for the Federal Government, informed the court that the prosecution was prepared for trial.

He said that the prosecution has two witnesses scheduled for the trial and could call more if necessary.

Abubakar urged the court to set a date for the trial.

However, the defendant’s counsel, Mohammed Sheriff, questioned the charge’s competency, pointing out that the alteration to the charges preferred against his client was made without the court’s approval.