Miyetti Allah leader Bodejo to face trial for setting up militia group
The Federal Government on Friday arraigned the detained President of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Bello Bodejo, before a Federal High Court in Abuja.
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.
He pleaded not guilty to the charge, following which the prosecution lawyer, M. B. Abubakar, prayed the court to order his remand in the custody of the Defence Intelligence Agency, DIA.
Trial judge, Justice Inyang Ekwo, in a short ruling, granted the request and fixed May 27 for commencement of trial.
Recall that Justice Ekwo had, on March 13, fixed Friday, March 22, for ruling in the defendant’s motion for bail and unconditional release from custody.
However, Justice Ekwo 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 was arrested on January 23 in Malia, Nasarawa State, and kept in custody.
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 Federal Government, the suspect is being investigated for offences which constitute threat to national security under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition Act, 2022).
