Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja has set a May 30 hearing date for the bail plea filed by Bello Bodejo, the jailed President of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore.
Bodejo’s team of attorneys, represented by Mr. Ahmed Raji (SAN), had petitioned the court to give him bail pending the resolution of the terrorism allegations brought against him by the Federal Government.
The Federal Government prosecuted him on three charges of terrorism for his alleged role in the formation of the ethnic militia group Kungiya Zaman Lafiya in Nasarawa State.
He has been in the custody of the Defence Intelligence Agency since January 23, when he was apprehended at Miyetti Allah’s office in Nasarawa State’s Karu LGA.
In his bail application, Bodejo encouraged the judge to observe that, under the terms of the 1999 Constitution, he was deemed innocent until proven guilty, and so he begged the court to release him on bail.
He maintained that the prosecution’s proof of evidence before the court did not establish a prima facie criminal case against him that would necessitate his trial.
He begged the court to grant his plea, citing his poor health, and promised not to skip bail if freed from custody.
However, in a counter-affidavit dated FHC/ABJ/CR/141/2024 and signed by Noma Wando, a litigation clerk at the Department of Public Prosecutions, Federal Ministry of Justice, the FG requested that the defendant’s bail application be dismissed.
The prosecution maintained that terrorism was not a bailable charge and sought the court to remand Bodejo in custody for his management and participation in operations related to acts that jeopardised national security and public safety.
The deponent claimed that Bodejo supplied material support, assistance, and transportation for acts that violated Sections 29, 2(3)(g)(xii), and 12(a), as well as Sections 2(3)(g)(xii), and 13(2)(b) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The prosecution’s counsel, Aderonke Imana, argued that Bodejo should not be granted bail.
She informed the court that the defendant’s continued incarceration was in the interest of national security.
Imana contended that the life-threatening illness Bodejo claimed to have could be treated at the DIA Medical Centre in Abuja.
According to Imama, Bodejo was diagnosed with high blood pressure, which has since been adequately treated by the DIA.
The prosecution stated that the DIA Medical Centre in Abuja is located adjacent to the state house and “boasts 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,” Imana stated in a press release.
After hearing from both sides, Justice Ekwo adjourned until May 30 to rule.
