News
Alleged unlawful detention: “Miyetti” Allah president prays court to order his release
President, Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Alhaji Bello Bodejo, on Thursday, prayed an Abuja High Court to order his release from the State Security Service (SSS)’s detention facility pending the hearing and determination of the substantive application.
Bodejo, in a motion ex-parte marked: M/16976/2024 and filed by his team of lawyers led by Reuben Atabo, SAN, also sought an order granting him leave to apply for the order of habeas corpus subjiciendum against the respondents.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that habeas corpus subjiciendum is a Latin phrase and a legal term used to describe a writ that is directed to someone who is detaining another person to inquire into the legality of the detention.
Bodejo, in the motion dated and filed on Dec. 19, sued the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and the Director General of SSS as 1st and 2nd respondents.
He sought two orders, including “an interim order directing the respondents to, forthwith, produce the applicant from detention for him to be released, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive application for habeas corpus subjiciendum.”
Giving five grounds upon which the application is predicated, the senior lawyer said that Bodejo was arrested on Dec. 9 by soldiers of the 177 Guards Battalion, Keffi of the Nigerian Army and detained at their barracks in Keffi.
He said the Nigerian Army, thereafter, transferred him to the custody of the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) in Abuja up to Wednesday (Dec. 18) without being charged to any court of competent jurisdiction.
Atabo said Bodejo had been transferred from the custody of the DIA to the SSS custody in Abuja, today (Dec. 19) without being informed of the allegation against him.
The lawyer said the respondents are not desirous of diligently prosecuting his client “before a competent court of law and thus, their actions are unconstitutional and shorn of any legal basis whatsoever.”
He said the continuous and inexplicable detention of Bodejo by the respondents without trial in a competent court of law is unlawful and without justification, thus, necessitating the instant application.
In the affidavit in support of the motion ex-parte deposed to by Bodejo’s senior wife and a businesswoman, Hauwa, she said her husband is the president of Miyetti Allah, a Fulani socio-cultural organisation with his office in Karu Local Government Area (LGA) of Nasarawa State.
She said on Dec. 8, there was a communal clash between some Fulanis and a retired military officer, Admiral Dan Gwari, at Shuwari Village in Karu LGA of Nasarawa State.
Hauwa said Gwari has a farmland situate at Shuwari Village, where he cultivates crops.
She said some Fulanis rearing their cattle entered the farmland belonging to Gwari on Dec. 8.
She said upon entry into the said farmland, there was exchange of words between the Fulanis and Gwari, consequent upon which the retired officer drew out his gun and began shooting at the Fulanis.
“That the Fulanis rearing the cattle however dodged the bullets he repeatedly shot at them, whereupon the bullets hit and killed about four (4) of their cows.
“That the said Fulanis thereafter proceeded to disarm ADMIRAL DAN GWARI (RI’D.) and in the process of struggling with him in order to disarm him, he accidentally sustained machete cuts on his head.
“That the Fulani Elders at the RUGA in Shuwari Village immediately took ADMIRAL DAN GWARI (RTD.) to the hospital, where he was promptly treated and discharged shortly, after the said elders had fully paid the hospital bills,” she averred.
Hauwa alleged that upon being discharged from the hospital, Gwari proceeded to the military barracks of the 177 Guards Battalion of the DIA at Keffi and mobilised some men of the Nigerian Army who subsequently stormed the RUGA Settlement, arrested several Fulani boys and further took away with them about Four Hundred (400) cows.
She said during all these incidents, Bodejo was away to Bauchi State on a business trip and was not in any way aware or privy to what had happened between Gwari and the Fulani boys/herders at Shuwari Village.
She alleged that when her husband came back on Dec. 9, some men of the 177 Guards Battalion of the Nigerian Army, acting on the instruction and active promptings of Gwari, came and invited him to the barracks in Keffi.
She said when Bodejo got to the barracks, he was detained, allegedly “acting on the instructions of Gwari and the Nigerian Army, thereby cutting him off from his wives, children, family members and lawyers.”
She further alleged that Bodejo was subjected to inhuman or degrading treatment in the custody.
“My husband (the applicant) called me on the phone on Dec. 11, to inform me that the Nigerian Army were taking him to an underground cell of the Defence Intelligence Agency and will blind fold him thereafter,” she said.
She said she later found that her husband had been moved on Wednesday night to the custody of SSS where he is currently being detained.
Bodejo’s wife said since her husband’s arrest and detention, he had been denied of his drugs and medications.
Hauwa, who said that the applicant would be greatly prejudiced if the application is refused, said it would be in the interest of justice to grant their motion.
No date has been given for the hearing of the motion as at the time of filing the report.(NAN)
The National Youth Vanguard of Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has rejected allegations made by Honourable Aminu Sani Jaji, who accused the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Muhammed Matawalle, of orchestrating claims of anti-party activities against him.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the group’s National Publicity Secretary, Dr Adeniyi Wale, described Jaji’s accusations as “baseless” and an attempt to distract from his own political manoeuvres.
“Jaji has long positioned himself as a loyal APC member and a unifying force within the party, but his actions suggest otherwise. His political moves appear more self-serving than focused on party unity,” Wale said.
The APC Vanguard emphasised that Nigerians deserve transparent and accountable leaders rather than those who, it said, manipulate public trust for personal gain. The group also questioned Jaji’s credibility, citing what it described as a pattern of inconsistency in his political engagements.
“The remarks made by Jaji not only lack substantiation but also raise concerns about his reliability and judgment,” the statement read. “Leadership is not merely about holding a position of power; it is about demonstrating qualities that inspire trust and confidence among the people.”
The group commended Minister Matawalle for his efforts in strengthening national security and promoting peace. It said his leadership had contributed significantly to fostering unity and improving community relations across the country.
“Minister Matawalle exemplifies the qualities of effective leadership. Under his stewardship, significant progress has been made in enhancing national security and community relations,” the statement said.
The APC Vanguard further criticised Jaji’s leadership approach, accusing him of lacking the foresight and responsibility required for credible governance.
“This pattern of inconsistency not only weakens the integrity of his decisions but also erodes the confidence of party members and stakeholders who seek dependable representation,” Wale added.
The group reaffirmed its support for Matawalle and urged APC members to remain focused on unity and national progress while rejecting divisive rhetoric that could undermine the party’s strength.
News
Two brothers Launch Sardaunan Ikulu Fans Foundation, Sponsor WAEC Registration For 50 vulnerable Students
By Israel Bulus, Kaduna
In a significant effort to promote education, two brothers have launched the Sardaunan Ikulu Fans Foundation, sponsoring the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) registration for 50 vulnerable students in Kamaru Ikulu Ward, Zango-Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Speaking at the launch on Tuesday, Yusuf Ismail Ashafa, popularly known as Sardaunan Ikulu, urged the beneficiaries to remain dedicated to their studies and strive for academic excellence. He assured them that the foundation would continue to support outstanding students by facilitating their admission into higher institutions.
Ashafa also called on parents to play an active role in motivating their children to focus on education, emphasizing that their success would contribute to a brighter future for the community.
Meanwhile, Ashafa, who played a crucial role in the emergence of Engr. Bege Gaiya Joseph as the Executive Chairman of Zango-Kataf Local Government Area, expressed deep appreciation for Joseph and his brother, Reuben Richman Bissla, for sponsoring the students’ WAEC registration in his honor.
He pledged to build on these efforts, ensuring continued support for students’ education as a means of fostering societal development.
In his remarks, the co-sponsor, Engr. Joseph Bege Gaiya, popularly known as Lordbeckson, disclosed that the initiative was aimed at improving the education of the most vulnerable students for the betterment of society.
“I am one of the beneficiaries of the goodwill of Sardaunan Ikulu. If he had wanted to become the Council Chairman, he would have been, but he decided to push me forward, and today I am the Council Chairman through his mentorship,” he stated.
He urged the beneficiaries to consider themselves fortunate and to take full advantage of the opportunity by studying hard to achieve excellent results.
“With the establishment of the Federal University of Applied Sciences in Kachia, we must ensure that our students pursue science courses. We cannot afford to have a Federal University in our region and yet have our children unable to gain admission to study science-related fields,” he added.
The initiative has been widely commended as a timely intervention, helping underprivileged students overcome financial barriers to education.
Amid the recall process initiated against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the Arewa Youths Progressives Assembly has told both the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and the police that Nigerians are keenly watching their actions.
This came amid viral video of some politicians in the Kogi State mass-signing signatures purported to be that of the Senator’s constituents.
It was gathered that the Senator has already petitioned the police over the development.
However, addressing journalists on Tuesday, the National President of Arewa Youths Progressives Assembly, Shuaibu Usman, accused the INEC of always compromising the electoral process in Kogi State.
Usman, who recalled how results of the last governorship election in the state emerged even before the exercise commenced, urged the commission to redeem itself.
He said, “Kogi parades as a worst example when it comes to INEC conduct of election in Nigeria. We have not forgotten how many credible organisations, including Yiaga Africa, raised the alarm of the electoral heist that went on during the last guber election in that state.
“So, INEC has been notorious for providing a thriving ground for politicians in Kogi State to mess up the country’s electoral system.
“The same people are at it again, this time hiding under the guise of a recall process against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. With their Kogi magic, they quickly manufactured over 250,000 signatures, whereas the entire voters during the main election stood at 120,000.
“One need not be a suitsayer to know that these are the same elements who are known to be chronic election riggers, with INEC as their enablers.
“However, we must caution the INEC that this should not be business as usual; this is beyond Kogi State, so Nigerians are watching.
“We were taken aback when the INEC after announcing that the petition did not meet its requirements, returned a day after to tell Nigerians that the same petitioners have met the requirements- what a quick fix!
“The INEC must not kowtow to the whims and caprices of desperate political elements in Kogi State, as this will be resisted by Nigerians.”
Similarly, the apex Igbo group also urged the police to ensure that all those in forging the signatures of Senator Natasha’s constituents were brought to book.
According to the group, the viral videos showed known faces in Kogi State, wondering why the police were yet to effect any arrest.
“By now, we had expected that some of the perpetrators should be cooling their heels in custody or having their days in court, but it is yet to happen.
“There should be no room for compromise, the culprits, no matter how highly placed, should be identified, arrested and prosecuted.
“We urge that the police should engage forensic experts to analyze those signatures before the INEC takes any further step in the said petition,” Usman further stated.