Kaduna Train Attack: Court Declines to Transfer Ex-Terrorist Negotiator, Tukur Mamu to Kuje Prison
Kaduna Train Attack: Court Declines to Transfer Ex-Terrorist Negotiator, Tukur Mamu to Kuje Prison
The Federal High Court in Abuja has rejected an application from Tukur Mamu, the former negotiator in the Abuja-Kaduna train kidnapping case, to be transferred from the Department of State Services (DSS) detention facility to Kuje prison.
Mamu, facing a 10-count terrorism charge, had requested the transfer due to alleged non-compliance with a court order allowing him access to his personal physician.
Mamu, who was denied bail on April 27, 2023, claimed that the DSS had only allowed him to see his doctor once, despite a court order from October 31, 2023.
He argued that his health was deteriorating and that he urgently needed surgery, fearing for his life if not moved to prison custody.
His legal team, led by Abdul Mohammed, SAN, assured the court of Mamu’s commitment to attend future hearings.
However, Justice Inyang Ekwo, ruling on Monday, stated that the court considered the security situation at various custodial facilities and noted that Mamu failed to counter the prosecution’s claim about rampant jail breaks.
The court also found no credible evidence that Mamu’s medical needs could not be met by the DSS. Consequently, the application was denied, and the trial was scheduled to continue on June 3, 4, 5, and 6. Nonetheless, the court warned the DSS to comply with its order regarding Mamu’s access to medical care.
The Federal Government, on March 21, 2023, charged Mamu with aiding terrorist operations, including collecting various sums from families of train attack victims on behalf of Boko Haram.
The prosecution alleged Mamu had received $420,000 and N21 million from victim families, concealing the funds in his Kaduna residence.
Additionally, Mamu was accused of communicating with Boko Haram spokesperson Baba Adamu about terrorist activities.
Mamu, arrested in Cairo, Egypt, on September 6, 2022, en route to Saudi Arabia, was brought back to Nigeria and detained by the DSS. According to the DSS, Mamu was intercepted while allegedly heading to a clandestine meeting with terrorist commanders.
The DSS recovered various items from his residence, including foreign currencies, military uniforms, firearms, and electronic devices.
Despite these allegations, Mamu pleaded not guilty to the charges.
