The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed May 30 for ruling on a bail application filed by the detained leader of the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Bello Bodejo.
Bodejo, who was accused of unlawfully establishing an ethnic militia group, Kungiya Zaman Lafiya, to promote terrorism, has been in the custody of the Defence Intelligence Agency, (DIA) in Abuja.
He was arraigned in March on a three-count charge, filed by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation, (AGF), in which he was accused of violating the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, but however, denied the charges.
While moving the application for his bail on Tuesday, Bodejo’s lawyer, Ahmed Raji, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, (SAN), pleaded with Justice Ekwo, to admit his client to bail on various grounds, ranging from ill health, to fundamental rights.
Bodejo’s lawyer predicated the bail request on the ground that his client “suffers from grave ill-health, and that the offences are bailable.”
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Citing Section 36 of the Nigerian Constitution, Raji said his client is presumed innocent until proven guilty, adding that the charge against Bodejo did not disclose any crime against him.
Contrary to government assertions, Raji informed the court that the launch of the group by his client was done in a public place, with the Police Commissioner and personnel of other security agencies, as well as Nasarawa State Government officials in attendance.
He explained that the essence of establishing the vigilante company was to provide security services to the members of society, and not to commit any act of terrorism, as alleged.
However, the Federal Government urged the court to reject Bodejo’s bail application, on the ground that the charges against the defendant border on a threat to national security.
The trial judge, Justice Inyang Ekwo, after listening to the submissions of both parties in the suit, fixed May 30 for the ruling on the bail application.
(Editor: Ifeanyi Mark)
