The Federal Government has strongly opposed a fresh bail application filed by Tukur Mamu, the alleged negotiator in the 2022 Abuja-Kaduna train abduction case, who is seeking release from custody on medical grounds.
Mamu, a Kaduna-based publisher of Desert Herald, is currently facing a 10-count charge related to terrorism. Arrested on 6 September 2022 in Cairo, Egypt, while en route to Saudi Arabia for the lesser Hajj, he was repatriated to Nigeria and has since been held in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).
In his latest application, Mamu’s legal counsel, Mr Johnson Usman, requested the court to grant him bail to enable him to undergo urgent medical treatment, citing deteriorating health and the need for surgery.
Government Alleges Terror Ties, Money Transfers
According to the charges, Mamu is accused of serving as a conduit for the Boko Haram terrorist group by collecting ransom payments from the families of abducted victims of the train attack. The government alleges he received a total of $420,000 and ₦21 million, in addition to a separate ₦500,000 payment, all of which were allegedly concealed at his residence in Kaduna.
The Federal Government also claims Mamu exchanged voice communications with a known Boko Haram spokesperson, Baba Adamu, and that his actions breached the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
During a search of his home and office, DSS operatives reportedly recovered various foreign currencies, 16 ATM cards from multiple banks, cheque books, firearms-related items, and military uniforms, among other incriminating materials.
Mamu, however, has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Previous Bail Denied Over Security Concerns
On 27 April 2023, the court denied Mamu’s initial bail application, including a request for transfer to Kuje Correctional Facility. The presiding judge, Justice Muhammed Umar, ruled that the DSS had the necessary facilities to manage the defendant’s health and cited the high incidence of jailbreaks across the country as justification for continued DSS custody.
At the resumed hearing, Mamu’s counsel raised concerns about non-compliance with an earlier court order allowing access to his personal physician. He asserted that his client’s medical condition had worsened and could no longer be adequately addressed in detention.
Prosecution: Mamu is a Flight Risk
In a counter-affidavit filed by government counsel, Mr David Kaswe, the prosecution urged the court to dismiss the application, arguing that Mamu poses a flight risk and that no new evidence had been presented to warrant a reversal of the court’s earlier decision.
Kaswe further insisted that the DSS has sufficient medical infrastructure to cater to the defendant’s needs and highlighted the seriousness of the terrorism-related charges.
Justice Umar adjourned proceedings to allow both parties to present their arguments on the new bail application and fixed 22 July for the next hearing.