Court to deliver judgment January 27 in Mamu terrorism financing trial

The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed January 27, 2027, for judgment in the alleged terrorism financing trial of Tukur Mamu, who is accused of receiving ransom payments on behalf of terrorists linked to the 2022 Abuja-Kaduna train attack.

Justice Mohammed Umar fixed the date on Monday after prosecution counsel, David Kaswe, and Mamu’s lawyer, Johnson Usman, SAN, adopted their final written addresses and urged the court to rule in their favour.

The Federal Government urged the court to convict Mamu, while the defence asked for his acquittal, arguing that the prosecution had failed to prove the charges against him.

Mamu, who was re-arraigned on June 1 on a 17-count charge, pleaded not guilty to the allegations, which include terrorism financing, money laundering, unlawful possession of firearms and dealing in terrorist funds.

Arguing for the defence, Usman faulted the prosecution’s handling of a rifle allegedly recovered from Mamu’s residence, insisting that the government had failed to produce the firearm’s licence despite repeated requests.

The lawyer said the defence maintained that the licence had not expired at the time of Mamu’s arrest in September 2022, and urged the court to resolve the issue in his client’s favour.

However, Kaswe disagreed, telling the court that the rifle and its licence had already been tendered as exhibits through a prosecution witness.

He maintained that the Federal Government had discharged its burden of proof and urged the court to convict Mamu as charged.

Mamu was arrested by Egyptian security officials at Cairo International Airport on September 7, 2022, and subsequently faced prosecution over allegations connected to the abduction of passengers during the Abuja-Kaduna train attack.

In one of the counts, the prosecution alleged that Mamu supported Boko Haram and obstructed a committee established by the Federal Government to negotiate the release of the hostages.

He was also accused of receiving $120 million in ransom payments from victims’ families on behalf of the terrorist group, an allegation yet to be determined by the court.

Other allegations include exchanging voice messages relating to terrorist activities with a purported Boko Haram spokesperson and possessing 47 cartridges without a valid firearms licence.

The Federal Government called seven witnesses before closing its case, while Mamu testified as the sole defence witness after opening his defence on April 23.

justice Umar adjourned the matter until January 27, 2027, for judgment.