Illegal vigilante: Court orders Nigerian Govt to file charges against Miyetti Allah leader, Bodejo

A Federal High Court in Abuja has directed the Federal Government to file charges against Bello Bodejo, the President of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, within seven days.

The order was issued by Justice Inyang Ekwo on Thursday, following the expiration of a previous order granting the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) permission to remand Bodejo for 15 days in the custody of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA).

The AGF had sought the remand order in a motion ex-parte marked FHC/ABJ/CS/141/2024, filed on February 5, 2024 by M.B. Abubakar, the Director of Public Prosecutions.

The motion requested Bodejo’s remand pending the conclusion of investigation and his arraignment in court.

Recall that Bodejo was arrested on January 23 at Miyetti Allah’s office in Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State following the unveiling of a vigilante group by the Fulani socio-cultural organisation.

In an affidavit attached to the motion, Noma Wando, a litigation officer at the Ministry of Justice, stated that Bodejo was allegedly raising an armed militia in violation of the nation’s unity, contrary to the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The respondent is being investigated for offences under the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act, 2022.

During the court session on Thursday, F.N. Umoh, counsel for the AGF, informed the court that the NIA had forwarded Bodejo’s statement to the minister’s office on Wednesday.

Due to bureaucratic processes, they could not file charges as directed by the court, and requested a date to do so.

Justice Ekwo granted the request, adjourning the case until March 1 for Bodejo’s arraignment.