May 29, (THEWILL)- The Federal High Court, Abuja, has discharged the President of Miyetti Allah Kautal Kore, Bello Bodejo, of alleged terrorism charges filed against him by the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF).
Justice Inyang Ekwo discharged Bodejo after counsel for the AGF, Aderonke Imana, moved an oral application for the withdrawal of the charges against him.
The Miyetti Allah leader, 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 on a three-count charge bordering on terrorism. He had pleaded not guilty to the charges.
At the resumed hearing on Wednesday, Ms. 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.
The request was further predicated on the power of the AGF under Section 174 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
“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,” she said.
Bodejo’s team of lawyers, led by Ahmed Raji, SAN, did not oppose the application.
“We urge your lordship to discharge the accused person under the sections referred to by the prosecutor,” Raji said as he thanked the AGF for his magnanimous gesture.
Justice Inyang Ekwo, in a short ruling, 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.”
