The president of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Bello Bodejo, who is facing terrorism charges, has urged the court to release him on bail, citing ill health and claim he has no past criminal records.
Bodejo, who is being prosecuted before the federal high court in Abuja, also denied any involvement in the establishment of an ethnic militia group, “Kungiya zaman lafiya”.
He stated this through his brother, Mohammed Musa, in an affidavit in support of his bail application dated march 28th, 2024.
Musa said his brother only had a registered vigilante company that offered security services to the members of society and promoted peace.
Bodejo also submitted that he has a reputation that attests not only to his reliability and credibility but also to the fact that he will not jump bail if the application is granted.
In a counter affidavit, Noma Wando, a litigation clerk in the department of public prosecutions, asked the court to dismiss Bodejo’s bail plea.
Wando argued that since Bodejo is standing trial for terrorism-related offences and participation in activities connected with acts prejudicial to national security and public safety, he cannot be released on bail.
He also argued against Bodejo’s claim of suffering from a life-threatening health condition, stating that any ailment that befall the defendant can be managed at the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) medical centre, Abuja.
He also said the State House Medical Centre, Abuja is close to the DIA facility and “boasts of the best of doctors and specialists and consultants”.
He said contrary to Bodejo’s claims, he was only diagnosed with high blood pressure which had since been “managed effectively and efficiently” by the centre.
At the court session, counsel to the defendant, Sulaiman Usman, told the court that they were not ready to proceed with the motion because the prosecution served them the counter affidavit just a day before and they have not had enough time to plan a rebuttal.
