DSS Re-Arrests Miyetti Allah Leader After EFCC Bail Release

Operatives of Nigeria’s Department of State Services (DSS) have re-arrested the national president of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Bello Bodejo, shortly after he was released by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Bodejo’s family expressed concern over the development, saying he had fulfilled the conditions attached to his bail and questioning whether his removal by the DSS was consistent with the rule of law.

A source within the EFCC confirmed that Bodejo had been released from the agency’s custody after his bail conditions were perfected.

The DSS could not immediately be reached for an explanation of the re-arrest. An email sent to its official address had not received a response at the time of filing.

Bodejo Granted ₦2bn Bail

A Federal High Court in Abuja granted Bodejo bail of ₦2 billion on 20 July in connection with his ongoing trial over an alleged $2.63 million money-laundering offence.

The EFCC first arraigned him on 9 July on multiple charges relating to alleged money laundering. He pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

Bodejo remained in custody after the bail order while his lawyers worked to fulfil the conditions imposed by the court.

His lawyers completed the bail requirements earlier this week, paving the way for his release from EFCC custody.

Family Describes Re-Arrest As Shock

Bodejo’s wife, Hajiya Hauwa Bodejo, said DSS operatives had been positioned around the entrance of the EFCC headquarters for hours on Friday.

She said the family had gone to the EFCC expecting Bodejo to be released after the anti-graft agency contacted his lawyers on Thursday night.

According to Hauwa, the EFCC had asked his lawyers and court officials to be present for the release.

She said the court officials subsequently indicated that they did not need to return to the EFCC because they had already submitted documentation confirming that the bail conditions had been fulfilled.

Hauwa said Bodejo had been brought out of detention and that the family was preparing to leave when DSS operatives approached him.

“But to the shock of our belief, as we were leaving the EFCC premises, the officials of the DSS, whose presence we noticed around the EFCC’s gate, rushed toward my husband, and suddenly whisked him away, in the company of three vans,” she said.

She also expressed concern about Bodejo’s health, saying his condition had continued to deteriorate.

According to Hauwa, his personal physician had repeatedly been denied access to him since his earlier arrest, which she said had lasted nearly three months.

The family has reiterated its call for justice in the case while seeking clarity over the circumstances surrounding his re-arrest.

The reasons for the DSS intervention were not stated in the supplied material, and the agency had not provided an official response by the time of publication.