The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has fixed July 22 to hear a fresh bail application filed by Tukur Mamu, the alleged negotiator in the Abuja-Kaduna train kidnapping case.
He is facing trial on a 10-count charge bordering on terrorism.
Mamu, through his lead counsel, Johnson Usman, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, is seeking release from the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) on medical grounds.
He claims his health has significantly deteriorated while in detention and that he urgently requires surgical treatment.
The application is being challenged by the Federal Government, represented by prosecution counsel David Kaswe, who urged the court to dismiss the request as lacking merit.
The government argued that the DSS detention facility is adequately equipped to address Mamu’s medical needs, and stressed that he remains a flight risk.
Justice Muhammed Umar adjourned the matter to allow both sides to argue their respective submissions before the court rules on the application.
Mamu was arraigned by the Federal Government on March 21, 2023, over allegations of terrorism-related activities.
He is accused of facilitating ransom payments on behalf of the Boko Haram terrorist group, allegedly collecting $420,000 and N21m from families of victims of the 2022 Abuja-Kaduna train attack.
He also allegedly concealed proceeds from these activities at his residence in Kaduna State.
The charges, signed by the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, M.B. Abubakar, further claim that Mamu exchanged audio messages with a Boko Haram spokesperson, and that he violated provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Mamu was arrested in Cairo, Egypt, on September 6, 2022, while en route to Saudi Arabia for lesser Hajj with his family. He was intercepted with the help of Interpol and returned to Nigeria, where he was taken into DSS custody under a detention order.
In the suit, the DSS alleged that Mamu was heading to a clandestine meeting with global terrorist commanders.
The agency said a search of his residence and office yielded incriminating items, including foreign currencies, two packs of pump action cartridges, 16 ATM cards, multiple cheque books, laptops, tablets, 24 phones, Nigerian and foreign military uniforms, and several passports.
During arraignment, Mamu pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The court subsequently denied him bail in April 2023 and rejected his request to be transferred to Kuje prison, citing nationwide concerns over jailbreaks.
Mamu has since accused the DSS of failing to comply with a court order issued on October 31, 2023, granting him access to his personal physician.
According to his legal team, he was only permitted one medical consultation, during which a comprehensive treatment plan was submitted but never acted upon.
Claiming his condition continues to worsen and warning of possible fatal consequences, Mamu is now pleading for release to undergo surgery in any hospital across Nigeria.
He has vowed to remain available for trial if granted bail.
The case has been adjourned to July 22 for hearing.Court To Hear Alleged Terrorist Negotiator’s Fresh Bail Application In July
The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has fixed July 22 to hear a fresh bail application filed by Tukur Mamu, the alleged negotiator in the Abuja-Kaduna train kidnapping case
He is facing trial on a 10-count charge bordering on terrorism.
Mamu, through his lead counsel, Johnson Usman, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, is seeking release from the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) on medical grounds.
He claims his health has significantly deteriorated while in detention and that he urgently requires surgical treatment.
The application is being challenged by the Federal Government, represented by prosecution counsel David Kaswe, who urged the court to dismiss the request as lacking merit.
The government argued that the DSS detention facility is adequately equipped to address Mamu’s medical needs, and stressed that he remains a flight risk.
Justice Muhammed Umar adjourned the matter to allow both sides to argue their respective submissions before the court rules on the application.
Mamu was arraigned by the Federal Government on March 21, 2023, over allegations of terrorism-related activities.
He is accused of facilitating ransom payments on behalf of the Boko Haram terrorist group, allegedly collecting $420,000 and N21m from families of victims of the 2022 Abuja-Kaduna train attack.