FG arraigns Miyetti Allah leader over ‘unlawful creation of ethnic militia’

The federal government has arraigned Bello Bodejo, leader of the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore group, over an alleged unlawful establishment of an ethnic militia group.

Bodejo was arraigned on a three-count criminal charge before a federal high court in Abuja.

He pleaded not guilty to all the counts.

After the plea, M. B. Abubakar, prosecution counsel, prayed the court to order the remand of the defendant in custody of the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA).

Inyang Ekwo, presiding judge, granted the request and fixed May 27 for commencement of trial.

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

The Fulani socio-cultural organisation had recently unveiled a vigilante group in Nasarawa.

Bodejo said the “nomad vigilante group” would assist security agencies in combatting crime in the north-central state.

The federal government had secured an order to remand Bodejo for 15 days in the custody of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA).

After the expiration of the order, Inyang Ekwo, presiding judge, extended the detention period by another seven days. 

The judge also ordered the federal government to ensure that it filed a charge against the accused, and directed that the detainee be brought to court on the next adjourned date.