From Godwin Tsa Abuja
The Abuja Federal High Court has fixed May 30 to rule on the bail application filed by the detained President of the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Bello Bodejo, who is facing a three-count terrorism charge.
Bodejo has been in custody of the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), since January 23, after he was arrested at the Miyetti Allah’s office in Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State shortly after he unveiled an ethnic militia group in Nasarawa State.
In addition, he was charged for the management and participation in activities connected with acts that were prejudicial to national security and public safety. The prosecution told the court that Bodejo provided material support, assistance, and transportation for activities connected with such acts, contrary to Sections 29, 2(3)(g}(xii) and 12(a) and Section 2(3)(g)(xii), and 13(2)(b) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
A count in the charge against the defendant, marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/141/2024, reads: “That you, Bello Bodejo, male, adult, on or before the 17th day of January 2024, at Lafia, Nasarawa State, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, committed an offence to wit: you established an ethnic militia known as Kungiya Zaman Lafiya, without authorisation, and, thereby, committed an act prejudicial to national security and public safety, and an offence punishable under Section 29 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”
Bodejo has, however, asked the court to release him on bail, pending the determination of the charge against him. His counsel, Mr. Ahmed Raji, SAN, who moved and argued the application, maintained that the charge against him contained bailable offences, argued that under the 1999 Constitution, as amended, he ought to be presumed innocent until his guilt is established.
Raji told the court that his client will not jump bail if released from detention, adding that his deteriorating health had created an exceptional circumstance that should sway the discretion of the court in his favour. He contended that the proof of evidence that was adduced in the matter did not disclose any prima facie criminal case against him to warrant his trial.
The defence counsel, therefore, prayed the court to grant him bail on liberal terms, even as he expressed readiness to produce responsible persons who would stand as his sureties. But in opposing the bail application, the prosecution counsel, Ms. Aderonke Imana, told the court that the continued detention of the defendant was in the interest of national security.
In a counter affidavit that was deposed to by one Noma Wando, a litigation clerk in the Department of Public Prosecutions, Federal Ministry of Justice, FG, urged the trial court to dismiss Bodejo’s bail application. The deponent said the defendant is standing trial for terrorism-related offences that involved his establishment of an ethnic militia in Nasarawa State, as well as the management and participation in activities connected with acts that were prejudicial to national security and public safety.
Imana countered Badejo’s claim that he was suffering from a life-threatening ailment that could not be handled at the DIA’s Medical Centre in Abuja. The prosecution noted that the DIA is situated close to the State House Medical Centre, Abuja, which it said “boasts of the best of doctors, specialists, and consultants.”
“The Federal Government’s holding centres and custodial centres have always ensured that the medical needs of persons in custody are met, and they have always undertaken to ensure that whenever the occasion arises, special medical treatment is available to their inmates,” it added.
After he had listened to both sides, trial Justice Inyang Ekwo adjourned the matter for ruling.