FG withdraws terrorism charges against Miyetti Allah President

Miyetti Allah president, Bello Bodejo

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has discharged the President of Miyetti Allah Kautal Kore, Bello Bodejo, of alleged terrorism charge filed against him by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (OAGF).

Presiding judge Justice Inyang Ekwo, in a short ruling on Wednesday, May 29, 2024, discharged Bodejo after counsel for the AGF, Aderonke Imana, moved an oral application for the withdrawal of the three-count charge.

Upon the hearing, Imana informed the court that she had an oral application.

The lawyer said the application was pursuant to Section 108 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015.

She said the request was further predicated on the power of the AGF under Section 174 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

Imana said: “Consequently, the Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation has instructed me to withdraw this charge against the defendant in the interest of justice.

“That is our humble application my lord.”

Bodejo’s team of lawyers, including Johnson Usman (SAN), led by Ahmed Raji (SAN), did not oppose the application.

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The lawyer thanked AGF Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) for his “magnanimous gesture”.

“We urge your lordship to discharge the accused person under the sections refers to by the prosecutor,” Raji said.

Ruling, Justice Ekwo said though the matter was slated for the commencement of trial, the prosecution applied to withdraw the charge citing relevant sections of the law.

The judge said: “The court is hereby moved to consider the application for the discharge of the defendant.

“Consequently, an order is hereby made discharging the defendant. That is the order of this court.”

Bodejo was arrested on the alleged raising up an armed militia in detriment of the nation’s unity.

The Miyetti Allah President, who was arrested on January 23 in Malia, Nasarawa State, and kept in the custody of the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), was arraigned on March 22 in a charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/141/2024.

Although he was arraigned on three-count charge bordering on terrorism, he pleaded not guilty, and the court ordered his remand in DIA’s custody pending the hearing and determination of the case.

The Star