A Federal High Court in Abuja has discharged Bello Bodejo, President of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore of all terrorism charges preferred against him by the Federal Government.
Justice Inyang Ekwo delivered the verdict on Wednesday after the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) said the federal government would no longer proceed with the charges but did not disclose reasons for the withdrawal.
Bodejo was arrested in January 2024 and was charged with establishing an ethnic militia group which threatens national security, and has since been held in custody.
During the hearing, Aderonke Imana, representing the AGF, told the court of their intention to withdraw the three-count terrorism charge against Bodejo, relying on Section 108 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015.
“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,” she said.
Ahmed Raji, counsel to Bodejo did not object to the withdrawal. He expressed gratitude to the AGF, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), for his “magnanimous gesture” and urged the court to formally discharge his client.
Ruling, Justice ordered the discharge of Bodejo. “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”, Justice Ekwo said.
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