FG Withdraws Terrorism Charges Against Miyetti Allah President
The President of Miyetti Allah Kautal Kore, Alhaji Bello Bodejo became a free man 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 The charges against Bodejo were withdrawn by the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) on resumption of the trial on Wednesday.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.
FG Files Terrorism Charges Against Miyetti Allah President
The Nigerian government has taken action against Bello Bodejo, the President of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, by filing terrorism charges against him. The charges alleged his involvement in establishing and arming an unauthorized ethnic militia group, deemed a threat to national security. Bodejo was apprehended on January 23 for purportedly organizing and arming a vigilante group from the Miyetti Allah office in Nasarawa State. The Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, filed a motion seeking Bodejo’s remand, which was granted for 15 days by Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo. Despite the court’s directive to charge Bodejo within seven days of the remand expiration, the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) failed to produce him before the court for arraignment. The prosecution explained the delay, stating that charges were filed on March 12, prompting the defense to request bail for their client. However, the prosecution vehemently opposed the bail plea, citing national security concerns. Justice Ekwo reserved ruling on the matter for March 22.
Terrorism charge: Kanu, FG, engage new lawyers
The leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, has engaged new lawyers in his defense of the terrorism offences brought against him by the Federal Government. It was gathered that a new team of lawyers to be led by PAM Ejiofor and Alloy Ejimakor will take over Kanu’s defense in the 7-count charges. In the same vein, the federal government engaged the services of Chief Adegboyega Awomolo to lead its legal team in the prosecution. Awomolo is taking over from David Kaswe SAN, from the Federal Ministry of Justice in Abuja, who has been handling the case for the federal government. No reason was given for the change in the legal team being led before now by Chief Mike Ozekhome SAN and Ifeanyi Ejiofor. Meanwhile, the court has already been jam parked by lawyers, traditional rulers, clergymen, family members, and sympathizers of the Biafra agitator present. Kanu has already been brought to the courtroom by the operatives of the Department of State Service DS$ Details later.
Terrorism Charges: Nnamdi Kanu Knows Fate Dec 15
The Supreme Court of Nigeria has officially set December 15, 2023, as the date for delivering its judgment in the highly anticipated case involving the federal government of Nigeria and the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu. This announcement was made by the apex court on Thursday, following the completion of final submissions by the legal teams representing both the federal government and Nnamdi Kanu. Recall that the Court of Appeal in Abuja, on October 13, 2022, ordered the release of Kanu from detention, while also dismissing a 15-count terrorism charge brought against him by the FG. The three-member panel unanimously reached this decision, stating that the Nigerian government had violated established laws by forcibly bringing Kanu from Kenya for trial, thus stripping the trial court of jurisdiction. Following this verdict, the FG, dissatisfied with the ruling, appealed to the Supreme Court and obtained a suspension of the judgement’s execution pending the appeal’s determination.
Court Order: We’ve charged Emefiele- DSS
The Department of State Services (DSS), Thursday night said it has charged the detained former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Mr. Godwin Emefiele to court. According to the agency, the move is in compliance with the order made by Justice Hamza Musa of the Federal Capital Territory High Court that sat in Maitama earlier on Thursday. The statement signed by the Public Relations Officer, Department of State Services, Peter Afunanya reads in part: “The public may recall that the Service had, in 2022, applied for a Court Order to detain him in respect of a criminal investigation. Though he obtained a restraining order from an FCT High Court, the Service, however, arrested him in June 2023, on the strength of suspected fresh criminal infractions/information, one of which forms the basis for his current prosecution. “The Service assures the public of professionalism, justice and fairness in handling this matter and indeed the discharge of its duties within the confines of the law. Recall that Justice Hamza Muazu earlier in the day, gave one week ultimatum to the Prosecution agency to either charge the detained Emefiele to Court or set him free. Emefiele sued the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), the Director General DSS, and the DSS, seeking enforcement of his fundamental human rights to freedom of movement and dignity in human life. He prayed the court to award N5m exemplary damages against the Respondents for his alleged unlawful detention. A copy of the suit has, however, not been made available as at the time of filing this report.