Miyetti Allah members protest at Abuja court over detained leader Bello Bodejo
By Jeffrey Agbo
Members of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore have staged a protest at the Federal High Court in Abuja, demanding the unconditional release of their detained president, Bello Bodejo.
Carrying placards, the protesters gathered on Wednesday in front of the court to press home their demands.
A large banner displayed by the protesters read “Free Bello Bodejo”.
Comrade Kabir Matazu, who spoke on behalf of the group, said the arrest and detention of Badejo was unlawful.
According to him, in a democratic society, rule of law is the building block.
“You cannot arbitrarily arrest individual without proper charge and arraigning him in court,” he said.
“That is why we have gathered our members across the country to come here to agitate and also make our voice heard.
“We call on the Nigerian security agencies should, without further delay, free and release unconditionally, Bello Bodejo, the president of Miyetti Allah.”
On March 5, Justice Inyang Ekwo of a Federal High Court in Abuja fixed Wednesday, March 13 for the hearing of Bodejo’s motion on notice, seeking his unconditional release from the custody of the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA).
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On February 22, Justice Ekwo gave the Federal Government seven days to file the charge against the detained Bodejo.
The judge gave the order following the expiration of the earlier order granted the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) to remand Bodejo for 15 days in the custody of DIA pending conclusion of his investigation.
The Federal Government, in a motion ex-parte marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/141/2024, sought an order to remand Bodejo, the sole respondent, in the NIA custody pending conclusion of investigation and arraignment in court.
The motion was dated and filed February 5 by M.B. Abubakar, Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation in the office of the AGF and Minister of Justice.
In the affidavit deposed to by Noma Wando, a litigation officer in the ministry, he said Bodejo was arrested on January 23 in Malia, Nasarawa State and was in custody.
Wando said that his arrest was predicated on the alleged formation of an armed militia in detriment of the nation’s unity contrary to the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
According to him, the suspect is being investigated for offences which constitute threat to national security under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition Act, 2022).