Court remands the leader of Miyetti Allah and sets a trial date for May 27

Bello Bodejo, the leader of the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore organization, has been detained in the custody of the DIA by a decision of a Federal High Court located in Abuja.

Following his arraignment before Justice Inyang Ekwo on Friday, an order for his remand was issued.

In connection with the launching of a vigilante group, Bodejo was taken into custody on January 23 at the Miyetti Allah headquarters located in the Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), the Attorney General of the Federation, submitted a motion ex parte on February 5th, requesting that Bodejo be placed under arrest until the investigation’s conclusion and his formal arraignment.

The judge gave the DIA until the order’s expiration to either arraign Bodejo or allow him to bail.

Nonetheless, Bodejo was led before the court by the DIA with heavily armed military members.

Bodejo was accused of three charges of terrorism by the Federal Government in the lawsuit filed under the case number FHC/ABJ/CR/141/2024.

He was charged with organizing the group without permission.

“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, is connected with act 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.

However, after hearing the allegations read to him, Bodejo pleaded not guilty.

Mohammed Abubakar, the Federal Government’s attorney, informed the court that the prosecution was prepared for trial.

He continued by saying that the prosecution has scheduled two witnesses for the trial and may call additional ones if necessary.

Abubakar implored the judge to set a date for the trial to begin.

However, Mohammed Sheriff, the defendant’s attorney, contested the validity of the charge, pointing out that the allegations brought against his client were changed without the court’s approval.

Judge Ekwo denied the defendant’s bail request and instead ordered that he remain under DIA custody.

Ekwo directed the DIA to provide the defendant with the required medical care based on the defense attorney’s prayer.

In addition, Justice Ekwo declared that ten family members of the defendant would be permitted to attend court and observe proceedings on any day the case is heard.

The matter was subsequently postponed by the judge until May 27 in order to start the trial.