Some members of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore on Wednesday marched to the Federal High Court in Abuja to demand the release of their president, Bello Bodejo.
Bodejo was arrested on January 23 over the unveiling of a vigilante group.
He has been held in the custody of the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) since then.
The Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) on February 5, filed a motion ex-parte, seeking to remand Bodejo pending the conclusion of the investigation and arraignment in court.
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But Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Abuja division of the Federal High Court granted an order for Bodejo to be remanded for 15 days.
Bodejo’s counsel, Mohammed Sheriff, filed an application seeking his unconditional release from the DIA’s custody.
But the DIA on Wednesday failed to produce the Bodejo for arraignment.
The court has, however, fixed March 22 to rule on his bail application.
Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Kabir Matazu, said “You can’t arbitrarily hold on to Bodejo without trying him. We are here to demand his release or trial.
“We are in a democratic society. And in a democratic society, respect for the rule of law is the building block for democracy to thrive. You cannot arbitrarily arrest and detain an individual without a charge against him.
“That’s why we have gathered our members from across the country to come here to agitate and also make our voice heard and known that the Nigerian security agencies should, without further delay, free and release him unconditionally.”
