The president of the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore group, Bello Bodejo, was brought before a Federal High Court in Abuja by the federal government on Friday.
Bodejo was accused of setting up and supporting an illegal ethnic militia group called Kungiya Zaman Lafiya. The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) filed three charges against him for violating the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Despite the accusations, Bodejo pleaded not guilty during the court proceedings. Justice Inyang Ekwo ordered that he be kept in custody by the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) until the trial begins on May 27.
Bodejo was arrested by security forces on Tuesday, January 23, at Miyetti Allah’s Head Office in Nasarawa State.
His arrest is believed to be linked to the recent formation of a vigilante group in Nasarawa State.
After calls for his release on bail, the federal government, represented by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, explained why the arrest and ongoing detention of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore President, Bello Bodejo, are necessary.
The federal government, through its lawyer from the Federal Ministry of Justice, Ms. Y.A. Imana, strongly urged the court to deny Bodejo’s request for unconditional release.
Imana stressed to the court the seriousness of the situation, stating, “This is a matter that touches on national security.”
