Bello Bodejo, president of the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore group, has filed a lawsuit against the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) over what he described as his “unlawful” arrest and detention.
In an ex parte motion filed on Thursday at the Abuja High Court, Bodejo is seeking an order for his immediate release from DSS custody.
The motion, marked M/16976/2024, was filed by his legal team led by Reuben Atabo.
Bodejo’s lawyers are also requesting permission to apply for a writ of habeas corpus subjiciendum, compelling the DSS to present him before the court and justify his detention.
According to his family, Bodejo was arrested on December 9 by officers of the Nigerian Army’s 117 Battalion in Maliya, Nasarawa State, following a clash between Fulani herders and a retired naval officer, Dan Gwari, over a farmland dispute.
Hauwa, Bodejo’s wife, claimed in an affidavit that Gwari allegedly shot at herders and killed four cows during the altercation.
She said the herders took Gwari to a hospital and covered his medical expenses, but the retired officer later mobilized soldiers to arrest several Fulani youths and seize 400 cows.
Hauwa alleged that her husband, who was not present during the incident, was later detained and subjected to inhuman treatment at Keffi Barracks before being transferred to the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) in Abuja.
Atabo stated that Bodejo has been held in custody since December 9 without being charged in any court of competent jurisdiction.
He described the detention as unconstitutional, arguing that the respondents have no legal grounds for holding him.
The legal team also highlighted concerns over Bodejo’s health, alleging that he has been denied access to his medications while in detention.
No date has been set for the hearing of the motion.
However, Bodejo’s legal team is pushing for an expedited resolution, citing concerns that his prolonged detention could have severe implications for his rights and well-being.
The case has drawn attention to issues surrounding the treatment of detainees and the enforcement of fundamental human rights in Nigeria.