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The charges against Bodejo were withdrawn by the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) on resumption of the trial on Wednesday.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