Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have reportedly rearrested the National President of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Bello Bodejo, shortly after he was released by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) following the reported fulfilment of his bail conditions.
Bodejo was allegedly taken into custody on Friday as he left the EFCC headquarters in Abuja, where his legal team had gone to facilitate his release.
The development has raised concerns among his family, particularly after a Federal High Court in Abuja granted him bail and his lawyers reportedly perfected the conditions.
Bodejo’s wife, Hajiya Hauwa Bodejo, said the family was unable to understand why her husband had been taken into custody again after the court’s bail requirements had been met.
According to her, DSS operatives had been positioned around the EFCC premises for several hours before Bodejo’s release.
She said the EFCC contacted Bodejo’s legal team on Thursday night and instructed them to report to its Abuja office on Friday with court officials to secure his release.
However, the lawyers were later informed that court officials were not required because documents confirming the perfection of the bail conditions had already been submitted.
Hauwa said the family subsequently arrived at the EFCC headquarters and saw that Bodejo had been brought out of custody.
She alleged that as they prepared to leave the premises, DSS operatives approached Bodejo and whisked him away in three vans.
The reported rearrest has also renewed concerns over Bodejo’s health. His wife claimed that his condition had deteriorated during his detention and alleged that his personal physician had repeatedly been denied access to him.
She said Bodejo had spent nearly three months in detention and questioned the basis for his continued custody after the court granted him bail and the conditions were reportedly fulfilled.
The DSS had not publicly disclosed the reason for the reported rearrest as of the time of the report.
Bodejo is facing a 12-count money laundering charge filed by the EFCC before Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja. He pleaded not guilty to the allegations.
The EFCC accused him of receiving several cash payments, including $200,000, $100,000 and $980,000, from former Bauchi State Accountant-General, Sa’idu Abubakar. The agency alleged that the transactions violated provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act.
On July 20, Justice Ekwo granted Bodejo bail in the sum of N2 billion, with a surety also required to provide a N2 billion bond.
The court ordered that the surety must have a three-year tax clearance certificate and own property in Abuja valued at N2 billion. Bodejo was also directed to surrender his international passport and remain in Nigeria unless authorised by the court to travel.
The court subsequently fixed October 5, 6 and 7, 2026, for trial.
Bodejo has previously been detained by the DSS. In January 2024, he was arrested over the establishment of a vigilante group in Nasarawa State.
He was later released following a court order in December 2024 after the court ruled that his prolonged detention was unlawful.
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