The federal government on Friday arraigned the detained President of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Bello Bodejo, before an Abuja Federal High Court.
Bodejo was arraigned on a three-count criminal charge bordering on alleged establishment of an ethnic militia in Tudun Wada, Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa state.
Bodejo however pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Prosecution lawyer, M. B. Abubakar, prayed the court to order the remand of the defendant in custody of the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA).
In a short ruling, Justice Inyang Ekwo, the trial judge, granted the request and adjourned the matter to May 27 for commencement of trial.
Ekwo had, on March 13, fixed Friday, March 22, for ruling in the defendant’s motion for bail/unconditional release from custody.
However, the judge held that the filing of a charge by the
federal government against the defendant has overtaken by 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, 2024, in Malia, Nasarawa state.
His arrest was for alleged creation of an ethnic militia contrary to the provisions of Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
According to the federal government, the suspect is being investigated for offences which constitute threat to national security under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition Act, 2022 ).
The three count charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/141/2024, reads:
“That you BELLO BODEJO A male, 38 years old 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 authorization.
“You thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 29 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 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 A male, 38 years old 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 provided material assistance logistics and transportation to one thousand (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.”
