FG opposes alleged terrorist negotiator Mamu’s fresh bail application
The Federal Government on Monday, opposed the fresh bail application filed by alleged terrorist negotiator, Tukur Mamu, who is seeking to be released from the custody of the Department of State Services on health grounds.
Mamu, the alleged negotiator in the Abuja-Kaduna train kidnapping case, in an application for bail filed through his legal team led by Mr Johnson Usman, asked the court to order his release to enable him to receive proper medical treatment.
Mamu is facing a 10-count terrorism charge.
He was arrested on September 6, 2022, in Cairo, Egypt, en route to Saudi Arabia for a lesser Hajj.
He was subsequently repatriated to Nigeria and detained by the DSS, which secured a detention order against him.
The DSS alleged that Mamu, publisher of Desert Herald, used journalism as a cover for his activities.
The DSS said he was intercepted while on his way to meet with top terrorist commanders.
Mamu was arraigned on March 21, 2023 for allegedly aiding terrorist operations in the country.
He was accused of collecting various sums of money in different currencies from the families of train attack victims on behalf of the Boko Haram terrorist group.
The government alleged that Mamu collected an aggregate of $420,000 and ₦21 million from families of the victims and concealed the funds in his residence in Kaduna State.
It was further alleged that Mamu received a ransom payment of ₦500,000 in 2022 from the families of train attack hostages on behalf of Boko Haram.
According to the charges signed by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Mr M.B. Abubakar, Mamu exchanged voice communications with a Boko Haram spokesperson, Baba Adamu, concerning acts of terrorism.
The government argued that Mamu’s actions breached the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act, 2022.
A search of Mamu’s residence and office reportedly uncovered incriminating items, including $151, £20, 1,530 Indian Rupees, one Saudi Riyal, 70 Dirhams, ₦1,506,000, 16 foreign coins, two packs of pump-action cartridges, 16 ATM cards from various banks, seven cheque books, six laptops, four tablets, 24 handsets, three international passports, a firearm licence, and Nigerian Army and Naval uniforms.
Mamu, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against him.
On April 27, 2023, the court denied him bail and refused his application to be transferred from DSS custody to Kuje prison, citing security concerns over custodial facilities in the country.
Despite his assurances to remain available for trial, the court maintained that his health needs could be adequately managed by the DSS.
The court further added that Mamu had not sufficiently countered the prosecution’s claims of widespread jailbreaks in the country.
At the resumed hearing, Mamu’s counsel informed the court that his health had deteriorated significantly while in custody, emphasising the urgent need for surgery.
He alleged that an earlier court order for him to access his personal physician was only partially complied with, and he expressed concerns about his deteriorating health.
However, the Federal Government opposed the application, urging the court to dismiss it for lack of merit.
In a counter-affidavit filed by the prosecution counsel, Mr David Kaswe, the government argued that the defendant posed a flight risk and noted that the court had previously refused to grant him bail pending the determination of his case.
The prosecution insisted that the DSS possesses adequate medical facilities to cater to the defendant’s health needs.
It also pointed to the gravity of the charges against him.
Justice Muhammed Umar adjourned the case to allow the parties to argue their submissions, after which the court will rule on the application.
Justice Umar fixed July 22, to hear the fresh bail application.
