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Miyetti Allah president, Bodejo free of alleged terrorism charges, regains freedom

The President of Miyetti Allah Kautal Kore, Alhaji Bello Bodejo was set free on Wednesday after the Federal Government withdrew alleged terrorism charges filed against him.

The charges against Bodejo were withdrawn by the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) on resumption of the trial on Wednesday.

Upon resuming hearing, the lawyer to the AGF, Aderonke Imana, moved an oral application for the withdrawal of the three-count charge

The lawyer said the application was under 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).

“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, including Johnson Usman, SAN, but led by Ahmed Raji, SAN, did not oppose the application.

The senior lawyer thanked the 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.

Justice Inyang Ekwo, in a short ruling, thereafter discharged Bodejo.

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

“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,” the judge declared.

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

The Miyetti Allah leader, who was arrested on Jan. 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 the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA)’s facility pending the hearing and determination of the case.

Bodejo had, on April 3, applied for bail through his lawyer, Raji.

The detained leader of Miyetti Allah told the court that he had no criminal record.

Giving nine grounds why he should be granted bail, Bodejo said the offences with which he was charged were bailable ones.

According to him, his reputation attest not only to his reliability and credibility and also to the fact that he will not jump bail if this application Is granted.

He argued that by Section 36 (5) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), he is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

While moving the bail application on April 30, Raji argued that the counter affidavit filed by the Federal Government did not discharge the burden placed on it.

He said this was so because the counter had not disclose “any reason why the applicant should not be admitted to bail.”

Besides, he said the prosecution, in their response, did not say Bodejo committed act of terrorism, rather, he was said to have formed a group.

He said the name of the group, formed by the defendant, is interpreted in English as “Association for Peaceful Co-existence.”

According to the lawyer, everything he (Bodejo) did was done in public; the commissioner of police was there at the launch of the group; the governor’s representative was there, etc.

Raji said the aim of establishing the vigilante company was to render security services to the members of the society and promote peace but not to commit any act of terrorism.

Responding, Imana disagreed with Raji.

The government lawyer prayed the court to refuse the bail plea in its entirety because it had no merit.

In the counter affidavit, the lawyer said Bodejo was standing trial for terrorism-related offences bothering on establishment of an ethnic militia in Nasarawa State, management and participation in activities connected with acts prejudicial to national security and public safety.

Justice Ekwo, on Monday, dismissed Bodejo’s bail plea and fixed today for trial commencement.

(NAN

News

Suspected Boko Haram kill two vigilantes, 10 firewood fetchers in Borno

Two vigilantes and ten firewood fetchers in Bokko Ghide community, Gwoza local government area of Borno state have been killed by suspected Boko Haram terrorists.

Alhaji Mohammed Shehu Timta, the Emir of Gwoza, confirmed the incident, explaining that the vigilantes (Civilian JTF) were ambushed and killed by the assailants along Kirawa road under Pulka District.

He also explained that the 10 other victims were those who went into the bush in search of firewood.

The Emir stated that they (firewood fetches) went to a nearby bush in search of firewood on Saturday when the boys (insurgents) ambushed them and killed ten and left 2 with life threatening injuries.

He said that they buried the 10 and evacuated the injured victims to Maiduguri for medical attention.

According to him, “It’s very sad that two of my Civilian JTF members, who sacrificed their lives for my people, were also killed on Friday.”

He prayed to God to reward their sacrifices and grant them Janatul Firdaus, and give their family and the community the fortitude to bear the loss.

While commending the state government and the military for their relentless effort in dealing with the Boko Haram insurgency, he added that they have been doing their best in managing the crisis for over a decade.

He, however, wants the military to deploy technological warfare like drones and other sophisticated weapons to end the crisis.

The Emir observed that the rainy season is about to set in and the people are now scared to visit their farmlands.

The attacks came barely 48 hours after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu sent the Minister of Defense, Badaru Abubakar, Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, and other top military commanders to assess the security situation in Borno State.

The Minister of Defence, had assured that the Federal Government would provide more military support to deal with the security challenges in Borno and the northeast

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Father and son allegedly poisoned to death in Ebonyi

A middle-aged man, popularly known as Uncle Light, and his son, Miracle, were allegedly poisoned to death in Ebonyi State.

The incident happened at Ebebe Junction in Abakaliki on Wednesday, April 23, 2025.

It was gathered that the victims were living with a woman who reportedly moved in with the man after divorcing her husband earlier this year.

The woman is suspected of having poisoned the food they ate

Police operatives arrived at the compound with a man who identified himself as the brother of the woman in question.

He told police that his sister was ill and currently in custody.

Another resident, who also pleaded anonymity because he was not authorised to talk.

“I heard a loud voice in the middle of the night and I told my wife that something was happening in our neighbourhood. At a point, we thought it was noise from church people doing their programme. It was early in the morning that we saw the son struggling and writhing in pain and came outside the gate,” the source said.

“He was crying for water. A friend provided him with water before he suddenly d!ed. We are suspecting diarrhoea, but it’s for an autopsy to confirm what k!lled him.”

The bodies have been evacuated by the police. (Punch)

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‘We are with you’- Oyebanji assures Ekiti people after heavy rainstorm

The Governor of Ekiti State, Mr Biodun Oyebanji has sympathised with the people of the state over the havoc wreaked by rainstorm in some parts of the state on Saturday.

The storm affected many private and public buildings as well as facilities across the state. However, no life was lost.

Moved by the development, the Governor has directed the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to immediately commence an assessment of properties that were affected with a view to assisting the victims.

While assuring the people of the state that they would not be left alone at this critical period, Governor Oyebanji urges the people of the state to remain calm and go about their daily activities without any fear, while Government takes inventory of the damaged properties and facilities with a view to responding appropriately.

“We are in it together”, the Governor assures the people in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media, Yinka Oyebode, and made available to newsmen in Ado-Ekiti on Saturday evening.

“The Biodun Oyebanji administration is committed to the welfare and wellbeing of the people of the state and will not leave any stone unturned in providing timely succor to the victims of the rainstorm”, the statement added.