A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Thursday, gave the Federal Government seven days to file charge against the detained President of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Bello Bodejo.
Justice Inyang Ekwo issued the order after the earlier order granted the Attorney-General of the Federation, AGF, the authority to remand Bodejo in the custody of the Defence Intelligence Agency, DIA, for 15 days pending the conclusion of his investigation.
The Federal Government requested an order to remand Bodejo, the sole respondent, in DIA custody pending the conclusion of the investigation and arraignment in court in a motion ex parte marked FHC/ABJ/CS/141/2024. M.B. Abubakar, Director of the Federation’s Public Prosecution, filed the motion on February 5 in the office of the AGF and Minister of Justice, Credible News reports.
In the affidavit deposed to by Noma Wando, a litigation officer in the ministry, he said Bodejo was arrested on Jan. 23 in Malia, Nasarawa State and was in custody.
Wando claimed that his arrest was based on allegations of forming an armed militia to undermine national unity in violation of the Federal Republic of Nigeria’s constitution.
The suspect/respondent is being investigated for offences that pose a threat to national security under the Terrorism, Prevention and Prohibition Act, 2022, according to him.
“That if the suspect/respondent is released into society, there is a likelihood that he will continue to commit similar or more serious offenses,” he stated.
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Besides, Wando averred that if Bodejo was released into the society, “there is a likelihood that he will jump his administrative bail, flee and evade his trial or fail to make himself available for his trial in court.”
Justice Ekwo had, on Feb. 7, granted the ex-parte motion after it was moved by F.N. Umoh and adjourned until today for a report.
When the matter was called on Thursday, Umoh said though an application to remand the suspect was granted by the court in the last adjourned date, it was yesterday (on Wednesday) that the NIA forwarded Bodejo’s statement to the AGF’s office.
He said because of bureaucratic process, they could not file a charge as directed by the court.
He, therefore, prayed the court for a date to enable them file a charge against Miyetti Allah boss.
When the judge asked him how long it would take him to file the charge, the lawyer said seven days.
However, Abdulkarim Maude, who represented Bodejo, informed the court that they had filed an application for the enforcement of his fundamental rights on February 7 and had served the prosecution with the same.
Justice Ekwo stated that, to make matters simple, the prosecution should be given seven days to file so that Maude could respond appropriately.
The judge then adjourned the case until March 1 so Bodejo could enter his plea.
Credible news.ng
