The Federal High Court in Abuja has again refused to grant bail to Tukur Mamu, a former terrorist negotiator currently held by the Department of State Services (DSS).

In a ruling delivered on Wednesday by Justice Mohammed Umar, the court acknowledged Mamu’s health concerns but directed the DSS to take him to a suitable medical facility for appropriate treatment instead of granting him bail.

Justice Umar noted that the prosecution had demonstrated commendable diligence in handling the case, stressing that one of the legal grounds for bail is lack of diligent prosecution, which did not apply in this instance.

“The prosecution has shown diligence throughout the proceedings,” the judge said. “Therefore, there is no justification to grant bail on that ground.”

The court further ordered the defence counsel to select a medical facility acceptable to the defendant for his treatment and directed the DSS to ensure that Mamu is allowed access to his family members.

Mamu, who is facing terrorism-related charges, remains in DSS custody.

In May 2024, Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed the request by the terrorist negotiator, Mohammed Tukur Mamu, for his transfer from the custody of the Department of the State Service (DSS) to Kuje Prison in Abuja.

His application was dismissed on Monday by the Judge while delivering the ruling on the request.
Mamu is standing trial for terrorism offences slammed on him by the federal government and has been in the custody of the Department of the

State Service, DSS following the refusal of the Court to admit him to bail.

Justice Ekwo while delivering the latest ruling said that the federal government had raised the issues of incessant jail breaks in prisons as a major ground to oppose the request for transfer to Kuje.

The Judge held that Mamu did not contradict or dispute the averments as required by law.

According to the Judge, since the averments were not challenged by Mamu, they are deemed to be true facts and facts admitted need no further proof.

The Judge subsequently ordered Mamu to remain in DSS custody throughout his trial in the criminal charges against him.

Justice Ekwo however affirmed his earlier order that the terrorist negotiator be allowed to access his personal physician for medical treatment with the supervisions of the DSS.

Mamu was arrested at the Aminu Kano International Airport upon his arrival from Egypt on September 6, 2022, over his alleged relationship with the terrorists who attacked the Abuja-Kaduna train on March 28, 2022.

The DSS, on March 21, 2023, arraigned him on 10 counts of terrorism financing, among others but he pleaded not guilty to the charges.