The Federal Government, on Wednesday, withdrew the three-count terrorism charge against Bello Bodejo, the detained President of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore. Bodejo was arrested in January at the group’s office in Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State after unveiling a vigilante group.
The charges alleged that Bodejo had established an ethnic militia in Nasarawa State and was involved in activities threatening national security and public safety. The government accused him of providing material support for terrorist activities, in violation of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Despite being held by the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) since January 23, and denied bail on May 27, the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, requested the withdrawal of the charges during a court hearing on Wednesday. This request was made by Aderonke Imana, a lawyer from the AGF’s office, citing Section 108 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, and the AGF’s constitutional powers under Section 174.
Imana stated, “The Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation has instructed me to withdraw this charge against the defendant in the interest of justice.” Bodejo’s legal team, led by Ahmed Raji, SAN, did not oppose the withdrawal and expressed gratitude to the AGF.
Trial Justice Inyang Ekwo accepted the application and discharged Bodejo of all allegations. The specific charge struck out stated that Bodejo had established an unauthorized ethnic militia, Kungiya Zaman Lafiya, in Lafia, Nasarawa State, an act deemed prejudicial to national security.
The case highlights the government’s shift in handling sensitive security matters, balancing legal actions with broader national interests.
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