SAHARA REPORTERS
The Federal High Court has granted the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) permission to detain Alhaji Bello Bodejo, President of the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, and six others for 60 days as investigations into allegations of banditry and illegal arms possession continue.
Justice Emeka Nwite approved the request following an ex-parte motion presented by DIA counsel, I.O. Odom.
The application, filed under case number FHC/ABJ/CS/1875/V/2024, sought to hold the respondents for an initial 60-day period to allow for thorough investigations.
The respondents include Bodejo, Suleiman Abba, Umar Jibrin, Umar Bello, Muhammed Ayuba, Jibrin Baba, and Saidu Wakili.
The motion, filed by Mrs. N.F. Bala on behalf of the DIA, argued that the detention was necessary to complete investigations into the allegations and determine appropriate legal action.
In an affidavit submitted by Bonny Ozegbe, an investigating officer with the DIA, it was revealed that the suspects were apprehended by the Nigerian Armed Forces in Nasarawa State on December 11.
They were subsequently transferred to the DIA for further investigation.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ozegbe alleged that the respondents were arrested for banditry and illegal possession of firearms.
According to Ozegbe, a preliminary investigation revealed that the respondents were involved in an attack on a military formation in Nasarawa State during an assault on local farmers and farmland.
He stated that the attack resulted in severe injuries to Nigerian Armed Forces personnel and civilians, with military arms and ammunition being stolen.
“During the operation leading to their arrest, several weapons, including AK-47 rifles and ammunition, were recovered from the respondents,” Ozegbe said.
He further alleged that the attack was orchestrated under the instruction of the first respondent, Bodejo, who is the group’s leader.
Ozegbe noted that this was not Bodejo’s first arrest on charges related to insecurity in North Central Nigeria.
He explained that investigations into the crimes were ongoing, with efforts to apprehend accomplices still at large.
He argued that releasing the suspects could jeopardize the investigation and increase the risk of further crimes or flight from justice.
“I strongly believe the respondents pose a serious threat to national security and public safety. A court order is needed to remand them in the custody of the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) pending the conclusion of the investigation and their arraignment,” he said.
Ozegbe requested a 60-day remand order in DIA custody.
When the case was called, Odom, the prosecution lawyer, moved an ex-parte motion seeking the detention of the respondents.
Justice Nwite inquired about the nature of the case, and Odom explained that it involved allegations of banditry and illegal arms possession, with the respondents arrested on December 11.
After hearing Odom’s arguments, Justice Nwite acknowledged that the prosecution had only presented its side of the story, which the respondents might dispute.
However, despite this, the judge granted the motion, ordering the respondents’ detention for 60 days to allow the investigation to proceed.
The case was adjourned until March 3, 2025, for mention.
Meanwhile, a separate ruling by Justice Mohammed Zubairu of the FCT High Court on Monday ordered the release of Bodejo from detention by the Department of State Services (DSS).
Justice Zubairu deemed Bodejo’s detention since December 9 without charges as unlawful, granting his release following a habeas corpus application by his lawyer, Reuben Atabo (SAN).
However, the judge ruled in favor of the application, which had not been contested by the Attorney-General of the Federation or the DSS Director-General.
Connect with us on our socials: