• Remanded in DIA’s custody
From Godwin Tsa, Abuja
The detained President of Miyetti Alla Kautal Hore, Bello Bodejo was on Friday docked by the federal government before the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court over alleged unlawful militia group. Bodejo was arraigned on a three-count criminal charge bordering on alleged establishment of an ethnic militia in Tudun Wada in Kau Local Government Area of Nasarawa State. After entering a ‘not guilty’ plea to the charge, the prosecution counsel, M. B. Abubakar, prayed the court to order his remand in the custody of the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA).
In his ruling, Justice Inyang Ekwo, granted the request and fixed May 27 for commencement of trial.
Justice Ekwo had, on March 13, fixed Friday, March 22, for ruling in the defendant’s motion for bail/ his unconditional release from custody.
However, the judge in the ruling held that the filing of a charge by the federal government against the defendant has overtaken the ruling and subsequently ordered the defendant to take his plea, if he was ready or the matter be adjourned to a later date for him to take his plea. Bodejo has been in custody since his arrest on January 23, in Malia, Nasarawa State. His arrest was predicated on the alleged raising up of an armed militia in detriment of the nation’s unity contrary to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
According to the FG, the suspect is being investigated for offences which constitute threat to national security under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition Act, 2022).
Count one of the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/141/2024, reads: “That you Bello Bodejo, a male, 38, of No 2 Bodejo Street, Tundun Wada, Karu LGA, Nasarawa State, sometime in January 2024 within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did commit an offence to wit: you established an ethnic militia known as Kungiya Zaman Laftya in Nasarawa State without authorisation. You thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 29 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. “That you Bello Bodejo, sometime in January 2024 within the jurisdiction/of this Honourable Court 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 therefore 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, sometime in January 2024 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court 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.”