CITIZENS COMPASS —The President of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Bello Bodejo,  has approached the Federal High Court of Nigeria seeking his unconditional release from the custody of the Defence Intelligence Agency.

The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed March 13, 2024, for the hearing of the motion filed by the detained cattle breeder. 

Bodejo was arrested on January 23 at the Miyetti Allah’s office in Karu LGA of Nasarawa state, over the unveiling of a vigilante group.

The Attorney General of the Federation,  Lateef Fagbemi(SAN), had on February 5 filed a motion ex parte, seeking to remand Bodejo pending the conclusion of the investigation and arraignment in court.

Justice Inyang Ekwo granted an order for Bodejo to be remanded for 15 days in the custody of the Defence Intelligence Agency.

At the proceedings on February 22, the judge gave the FG seven days to file a charge against Bodejo.

However,  When the matter was called on Tuesday, Bodejo was not in court.

Counsel for the AGF,  Y.A. Imana, told the court that the agency had yet to send Bodejo’s file to her office.

She said, “This matter is slated for arraignment. Unfortunately, up till now, due to some problems the investigating agencies are encountering, they have not been able to send the file to us. “

She explained that her office had written three letters to the investigating agency to send the duplicate case file to them but due to the complexity of the nature of the investigation, the agency had yet to furnish her with the file.

In his submission,  counsel for Bodejo, Mohammed Sheriff, told the court several efforts were made to have his client released to them pending his arraignment.

He said, “On February 6, when My Lord graciously granted the application to keep him (Bodejo), we filed a motion and My Lord said the motion would be heard on 22nd of February. “

Sheriff said when the matter was adjourned on February 22 and the prosecution was given seven days to produce his client for arraignment, they filed another motion on his behalf.

“Today, the defendant (Bodejo) has spent 43 days in detention and there is no charge filed before any court of competent jurisdiction,” he said

The lawyer argued that besides, the prosecution did not file any counter-affidavit against their motion on notice, even though they gave the impression that there were allegations against Bodejo.

He e said their latest motion was dated February 23 and filed February 26, adding that the prosecution was served the same date.

Justice Ekwo, therefore, said the prosecution, despite being given a hearing date, was unprepared, adding that the defendant would likewise receive a hearing date.

He adjourned the matter until March 13 for Bodejo’s motion on notice to be taken.

 In the motion on notice filed by Sheriff, Bodejo is seeking an order directing the Federal Government to unconditionally release him pending his arraignment or trial before a court of competent jurisdiction.

—The PUNCH