The Federal Government of Nigeria has filed terrorism charges against Bello Bodejo, the detained President of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore.
This comes in response to allegations of Bodejo’s involvement in establishing and arming an ethnic militia group without proper authorization, posing a threat to national security.
According to court documents dated March 12, Bodejo stands accused of undermining Nigeria’s national security by establishing the ethnic militia known as Kungiya Zaman Lafiya without legal authorization. The charges specify that Bodejo committed an act prejudicial to national security and public safety, contravening Section 29 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Bodejo was apprehended on January 23 at the Miyetti Allah’s office in Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State in connection with the alleged unveiling and arming of a vigilante group.
The Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), filed a motion seeking to remand Bodejo pending the conclusion of the investigation by the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) and his subsequent arraignment in court.
Following an order from Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja, Bodejo was remanded for 15 days.
Upon the expiration of this period on February 22, the government was given seven days to file charges against him. However, during Wednesday’s proceedings, the DIA declined to produce Bodejo before the court for arraignment.
Despite the absence of the detainee, Justice Ekwo pressed the government’s counsel on the status of the charges. The defence counsel, Mohammed Sheriff, also submitted an application seeking Bodejo’s unconditional release from DIA custody, urging the court to hear the bail application.
In response, the prosecution objected to the bail request, citing the gravity of the charges related to national security. The prosecution urged the court to dismiss the application, emphasizing the seriousness of the matter at hand.
After considering arguments from both sides, Justice Ekwo scheduled March 22 for ruling on the bail application.
