The Department of State Services (DSS) has reportedly taken Bello Bodejo, the national president of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, back into custody shortly after he was released by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Abuja.

Bodejo was said to have been picked up by DSS operatives on Friday as he was leaving the EFCC headquarters, where his lawyers had completed the necessary steps for his release after fulfilling the bail conditions imposed by the court.

The development has reportedly left Bodejo’s family concerned, particularly because the Federal High Court in Abuja had earlier granted him bail in connection with his ongoing money-laundering case.

His wife, Hajiya Hauwa Bodejo, said members of the family were at the EFCC premises when the incident occurred. According to her, DSS operatives had been positioned around the commission’s headquarters for some time before her husband was released.

She explained that the EFCC had contacted Bodejo’s legal representatives on Thursday and asked them to come to its Abuja office the following day to facilitate his release. The lawyers were initially expected to attend with court officials, but were later informed that the relevant documents confirming the completion of the bail requirements had already been submitted.

Hauwa said the family subsequently arrived at the EFCC office and discovered that Bodejo had already been brought out of detention.

However, she alleged that DSS operatives moved in as the family prepared to leave and took Bodejo away in several vehicles.

The reported rearrest has also renewed concerns from the family about Bodejo’s health. His wife claimed that his condition had worsened during his period in detention and alleged that his personal doctor had been unable to gain access to him on several occasions.

Bodejo has reportedly spent close to three months in detention since his arrest, according to his family.

The DSS had not publicly disclosed the reason for taking him into custody again as of the time of the reports. An EFCC source, however, was quoted as confirming that the commission had released Bodejo after the bail conditions were fulfilled.

Money-Laundering Case

Bodejo is facing a 12-count charge filed by the EFCC before Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja. He pleaded not guilty to the allegations.

The anti-graft agency accused him of financial offences involving millions of dollars, including alleged receipt of cash payments from Sa’idu Abubakar, a former Accountant-General of Bauchi State.

The Federal High Court subsequently granted Bodejo bail in the sum of ₦2 billion, with a surety also required to enter a ₦2 billion bond.

The latest development means that although Bodejo’s bail conditions were reportedly perfected and he was released from EFCC custody, he was subsequently taken into DSS custody.

His trial over the allegations remains ongoing, and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty by a court of law.