Court to hear detained Miyetti Allah’s president motion for unconditional release March 13
A Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed March 13 to hear the motion filed by the detained President, Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Bello Bodejo, seeking his unconditional release from Defence Intelligence Agency (NIA)’s custody. Justice Inyang Ekwo fixed the date following the Federal Government’s failure to produce Bodejo in court for arraignment after the expiration of the seven-day order directing the FG to file charges against him. Justice Ekwo had, on February 22, gave the Federal Government seven days to file a charge against the detained Bodejo. The judge gave the order after the expiration of the earlier order granted demanding the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) to remand Bodejo for 15 days in the custody of DIA pending conclusion of his investigation. The court then adjourned until March 1 for Bodejo to take his plea, but on the adjourned date, the matter was not heard, and it was later shifted to today for plea. When the matter was called on Tuesday, Bodejo was not in court. AGF’s counsel, Y.A. Imana, told the court that though the matter was slated for arraignment, she said the investigating agency was yet to send Bodejo’s file to her office due to the complexity of the nature of the investigation. But Bodejo’s lawyer, Mohammed Sheriff, told the court that several efforts made to have his client released to them pending his arraignment was not successful. Sheriff said when the matter was adjourned on Feb. 22 and the prosecution was given seven days to produce his client for arraignment, they filed another motion on his behalf. The lawyer argued that besides, the prosecution did not file any counter affidavit against their motion on notice, even though they gave impression that there were allegations against Bodejo. The motion on notice filed by Sheriff, Bodejo sought an order directing the Federal Republic of Nigeria to release the defendant/applicant unconditionally or upon any condition as may be given by this honourable court pending his arraignment or trial before a court of competent jurisdiction. In a seven-ground of argument, Sheriff described the prosecution’s action as “unconstitutional and said even if there was any criminal allegation against Bodejo, that cannot operate to curtail and restrict his fundamental rights.
