Former terrorist negotiator Tukur Mamu was charged with ten counts related to funding terrorism, particularly in relation to the recent train attack in Abuja and Kaduna, although he entered a not guilty plea.
Recall that Mamu was arrested on his route to Saudi Arabia for the Lesser Hajj on September 6, 2022, and held at Cairo International Airport before being returned to Nigeria.
The Federal Government charged Mamu of supporting Boko Haram terrorist assaults against defenceless Nigerians. He was also charged with soliciting money from the victims’ relatives of the railway attack on behalf of Boko Haram militants in various amounts and in different currencies.
According to reports, he obtained N21 million from other families affected by the train incident, in addition to $420,000 from the victims’ relatives. Moreover, he is charged with violating the Terrorism Prevention, Prohibition Act by hiding the finances for terrorism at his Kaduna home.
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When it was read to him, he refuted all of the accusations. The Federal Government requested a date for the start of his trial, but the defendant’s solicitor argued for bail.
He testified before the court that his client had urgent surgery needs because of his illnesses.
The Federal Government refused the plea on the grounds that the DSS hospital’s medical staff can handle all of Mamu’s listed illnesses.
After hearing arguments in favour of and against the bail request, Judge Ekwo postponed making a decision until a time that would be made known to the parties.
He must continue to be in the DSS’s custody until the judge decides whether to grant his request for bail, the judge said.
