FG Profiles Witnesses Against Terrorists' Negotiator, Mamu

                    Tukur Mamu

The Federal Government has profiled four witnesses that would testify against the Publisher of Desert Herald Newspaper, Alhaji Tukur Mamu in court. 

Manu is standing trial on a 10-count charge of terrorism- related offences including receiving ransoms from families of victims of the Abuja-Kaduna bound train attack.  

Other charges include managing terrorists funds, obstructing the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) committee from negotiating with terrorists that kidnapped victims of the train attack and exchanging voice notes with Boko Haram spokesperson. 

Terrorists had on March 28, 2022, bombed the Abuja-Kaduna train, killed nine passengers and abducted about 70 others during the attack.

But Mamu swiftly negotiated the release of the train passengers on the pretext that he wanted to guarantee their safety. 

At the resumed hearing of the case before Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Tuesday, Mamu pleaded not guilty to the 10- count charge preferred against him. 

His lawyer, Mohammed Katu (SAN) prayed the court to grant Mamu bail on the grounds of ill-health, adding that his client is suffering from a disease that required medical surgery.

“I don’t think such can be done in the Department of State Services (DSS) custody,” he added. 

But the prosecuting lawyer, Mrs. Aderonke Imana kicked against the bail application, noting that medical experts have certified Mamu to be in a stable condition. 

Imana, who represents the Federal Government adopted the counter affidavit dated March 21 with a written address and exhibits filed to disagree with the bail plea.

She argued that the DSS was able to take care of Mamu’s medical condition, urging the court to dismiss the application.

Justice Ekwo adjourned the matter to a date which would be communicated to the parties for a ruling on the bail plea.

The judge, thereafter ordered Mamu to remain in the DSS custody pending the hearing and determination of the bail application.

Recall that the terrorists’ negotiator was arrested on Wedneday, September 7, 2022 and detained at Cairo International Airport, Egypt alongside his family members, enroute Saudi Arabia for the lesser Hajj.