Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed May 30 to rule on the bail application filed by the detained President of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Bello Bodejo.
Bodejo through his team of lawyers, led by Mr. Ahmed Raji (SAN), had appealed to the court to grant him bail pending the determination of the terrorism charges filed against him by the Federal Government.
The Federal Government charged him with three counts of terrorism for his alleged involvement in the establishment of an ethnic militia group, Kungiya Zaman Lafiya, in Nasarawa State.
He has been in the custody of the Defence Intelligence Agency since January 23 when he was arrested at Miyetti Allah’s office in the Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
In his bail application, Bodejo urged the judge to note that by the provisions of the 1999 Constitution, he was presumed innocent until proven guilty and, therefore, urged the court to release him on bail.
He contended that the proof of evidence brought before the court by the prosecution did not show any prima facie criminal case against him to warrant his trial.
He appealed to the court to grant his request, given his deteriorating health, promising not to jump bail if released from detention.
But in a counter-affidavit, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/141/2024 deposed to by a litigation clerk in the Department of Public Prosecutions, Federal Ministry of Justice, Noma Wando, the FG asked the court to dismiss the defendant’s bail application.
The prosecution argued that terrorism was not a bailable offence and urged the court to remand Bodejo in detention due to his management and participation in activities connected with acts that were prejudicial to national security and public safety.
According to the deponent, Bodejo provided material support, assistance, and transportation for activities connected with acts, contrary to Sections 29, 2(3)(g}(xii) and 12(a) and Section 2(3)(g)(xii), and 13(2)(b) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The prosecution counsel, Aderonke Imana, argued that the court should not grant Bodejo bail.
She told the court that the continued detention of the defendant was in the interest of national security.
Imana argued that the life-threatening ailment that Bodejo claimed to have could be handled at the DIA Medical Centre in Abuja.
According to Imama, Bodejo was diagnosed with only high blood pressure, which, she said, had since been managed effectively by the DIA.
The prosecutor said the DIA Medical Centre, Abuja is situated close to the state House, which “boasts of the best of doctors, specialists, and consultants.”
“The Federal Government’s holding centres and custodial centres have always ensured that the medical needs of persons in custody are met, and they have always undertaken to ensure that whenever the occasion arises, special medical treatment is available to their inmates,” Imana said.
After listening to both parties, Justice Ekwo adjourned till May 30 for ruling.
