FG arraigns Miyetti Allah leader Bodejo over unlawful creation of ethnic militia group

Bello Bodejo, leader of the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore group, was on Friday arraigned before a Federal High Court in Abuja for allegedly establishing an unlawful ethnic militia group, Kungiya Zaman Lafiya.

The federal government arraigned Bodejo on a three-count charge bordering on alleged establishment of an ethnic militia in Tudun Wada in Kau Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

Bodejo pleaded not guilty when the charge, marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/141/2024 was read to him.

The prosecuting lawyer, Mohammed Abubakar, who is the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation(DPPF), sought a day for the commencement of trial.

Abubakar told the court that the prosecution has two witnesses lined up, but could call more should the need arise.

However, the defence lawyer, Mohammed Sheriff, queried the competence of the charge on the grounds that it was an amended charge in respect of which the prosecution failed to seek the court’s leave to amend the charge earlier filed.

In addition, Sheriff complained that his client was sick and that his lawyers were not allowed to have access to him.

Justice Inyang Ekwo in his ruling, ordered that the defendant be further remanded in the custody of the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), from where he was brought to court.

Justice Ekwo said should the defence wish to object to any steps taken by the prosecution, he can only do so at the end of the trial.

The judge said the court would not allow the defendant’s supporters to besiege the court premises or around it and conduct themselves in a manner that disturbs the court’s business.

Justice Ekwo said he would allow 10 members of the defendant’s family to attend court and witness proceedings any day the case comes up.

He ordered the Prosecution to accord the defendant the necessary medical attention.

The judge then adjourned until May 27, for the commencement of trial.

Armed personnel, from the Nigerian Army, the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Police took over security arrangements in and around the court premises.

It was gathered that the security measure was to prevent the recurrence of the disturbance caused by some of Bodejo’s supporters on March 13 when the case came up.

In the court document, the prosecution said that Bodejo was arrested on January 24, 2024, in Nasarawa State on alleged complicity with matters that are likely to threaten national security due to the activities of an ethnic militia group known as Kungiya Zaman Lafiya.