A Fulani socio-cultural organisation, Miyetti Allah Kautal Horehas, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the continued detention of its national president, Alhaji Abdullahi Bello-Bodejo.
Politics Nigeria reports that the group also called on the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi; the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and relevant security agencies to urgently review the circumstances surrounding Bodejo’s detention.
The North Central Chairman of the association, Alhaji Idris Gidado-Bebeji, made the appeal on Wednesday at a press conference in Karu, Nasarawa State.
Gidado-Bebeji said Bodejo’s continued detention had raised concerns among his family, associates, supporters and members of the wider pastoralist community.
He described Bodejo as a prominent advocate for Fulani pastoralists who had contributed to peaceful coexistence, national unity and the welfare of pastoralist communities.
The group, however, stressed that its appeal should not be interpreted as an attempt to interfere with the constitutional responsibilities of security and law-enforcement agencies.
“Our appeal is simply that the matter be handled fairly, expeditiously and strictly in accordance with the Constitution and all applicable laws,” Gidado-Bebeji said.
According to the association, Bodejo was first arrested by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) in Jalingo, Taraba State, on the day he declared his intention to contest the Taraba Central Senatorial District seat.
The group alleged that he was subsequently handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), where he spent nearly four months in detention.
Gidado-Bebeji said Bodejo was released after reportedly fulfilling the conditions attached to his bail from EFCC custody, only to be rearrested by DSS operatives on August 28, 2026.
He urged the relevant authorities to establish the legal basis for the fresh detention and ensure that any further investigation or prosecution complies fully with due process.
“If there is a lawful basis for any further investigation or prosecution, due process should be strictly followed.
“If his continued detention is no longer legally necessary, we earnestly appeal for his release to his family without further delay,” he said.
The association also appealed to the international community, including Amnesty International, to monitor the matter and support efforts to ensure that Bodejo’s rights are protected.
Gidado-Bebeji noted that Bodejo was a member and supporter of the APC and had backed the Tinubu-Shettima presidential ticket during the 2023 general elections.
He commended the Tinubu administration for what he described as efforts to promote the development and inclusion of pastoralist communities, particularly through the creation of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development.
The group insisted that it was not demanding preferential treatment for Bodejo, but only that his constitutional rights, dignity and liberty be respected.
“This is an appeal for justice, fairness and due process; not an accusation or a challenge to constituted authority,” it said.
The appeal followed reports that DSS operatives rearrested Bodejo shortly after his release from EFCC custody in Abuja.
Bodejo’s wife, Hajiya Hauwa Bodejo, had earlier expressed concern over the circumstances surrounding his fresh detention, saying the family was unable to understand why he was taken into custody after his bail conditions had reportedly been perfected.
She alleged that DSS operatives had been stationed around the EFCC premises for several hours before Bodejo was released.
According to her, the EFCC had contacted Bodejo’s legal team and asked them to come to its Abuja office to facilitate his release. She said the lawyers were later informed that court officials were not required because documents confirming the perfection of the bail conditions had already been submitted.
Hauwa said the family was at the EFCC headquarters when Bodejo was brought out of custody, but DSS operatives allegedly moved in and took him away in three vehicles.
Bodejo is facing a 12-count money laundering charge filed by the EFCC before Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja. He has pleaded not guilty to the allegations.
The EFCC accused him of receiving several cash payments, including $200,000, $100,000 and $980,000, allegedly from former Bauchi State Accountant-General, Sa’idu Abubakar.
Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore urged its members and the wider Fulani pastoralist community to remain calm and law-abiding, stressing that it would continue to pursue the matter through dialogue, constitutional procedures and engagement with government institutions.
