The President, Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Bello Bodejo, has been arraigned before the Federal high court Abuja on a three-count charge for allegedly supporting an ethnic militia group – Kungiya Zaman Lafiya.
Bodejo, who was arrested on January 23 in Malia, Nasarawa State, pleaded not guilty to the three count charge and has since been in the custody of the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA),
The lead prosecution counsel, Mohammed Abubakar
prayed the court for them to call their witnesses in view of the plea of not guilty, adding that, two witnesses had been listed to establish their case against Bodejo, though additional witnesses might be called.
But Bodejo’s counsel, Mohammed sheriff
argued that the arraignment was defective because the leave of the court was required before the amended charge could be read to his client.
Abubakar asked that Bodejo should continue to be detained in the DIA custody , an application the trial judge, Justice Inyang Ekwo granted .
Justice Ekwo, who warned against mobilising people to come around the court on each adjourned date to protest and distort proceedings said, at least 10 family members of Bodejo would be allowed in court for the trial .
The trial has been adjourned to May 27, 2024
Editor: Ebuwa Omo-Osagie
