Members of “Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore” staged a peaceful protest at the Federal High Court, Abuja, demanding the unconditional release of their detained president, Bello Bodejo.
Carrying a banner reading “Free Bello Bodejo” and placards with slogans like “DIA, Free Bodejo Now” and “Release Bodejo,” the protesters gathered at the court’s entrance gate to emphasize their demands.
Comrade Kabir Matazu, representing the group, denounced Bodejo’s arrest and detention as unlawful, emphasizing the importance of upholding the rule of law in a democratic society. He urged Nigerian security agencies to release Bodejo without delay and without conditions.
The protest coincided with a scheduled hearing at the Federal High Court, where Justice Inyang Ekwo was set to consider Bodejo’s motion seeking his release from the custody of the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA). Justice Ekwo had previously ordered the Federal Government to file charges against Bodejo within seven days, following an earlier order to remand him in DIA custody for 15 days pending the conclusion of investigations.
The Federal Government had filed a motion ex-parte seeking to remand Bodejo in the custody of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) until the conclusion of investigations and his arraignment in court. The motion, dated February 5 and filed by M.B. Abubakar, Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, alleged that Bodejo’s arrest was based on accusations of raising an armed militia, posing a threat to national security under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
