Mamu arraigned on 10-count terrorism charge, remanded in DSS custody

The Federal Government, yesterday, at the Federal High Court in Abuja, arraigned Kaduna-based Islamic scholar, Tukur Mohammed Mamu, on a 10-count charge bordering on terrorism.

Mamu, who has been in the custody of Department of State Services (DSS) since last year, was docked before Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo for offences relating to violent attack on Abuja-Kaduna train, in which several persons were abducted.

The alleged offences consist of receipt of ransoms from families of victims of the attack, dealing in terrorist funds, obstructing activities of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) committee to negotiate those who kept hostage victims of the raid and exchanging voice notes with Boko Haram spokesperson, among others.

In the charges, the Federal Government accused Mamu of aiding and abetting Boko Haram terrorism attacks against innocent Nigerians.

Among others, he was accused of collecting sums of money in various currencies on behalf of the terrorists from affected families.

Specifically, Mamu was said to have collected $420, 000 from the families and another N21 million from another set of families.

Similarly, Mamu was accused of concealing the terrorism funds in his Kaduna residence in violation of provisions of Terrorism Prevention, Prohibition Act. However, the accused denied all changes when read to him in the open court.

Though the Federal Government asked for a date to commence trial, Mamu’s lawyer, Mohammed Ndanusa, moved a motion requesting bail for his client.

Among others, Ndanusa told the court that his client is suffering ailments that required urgent surgical operation.

The request was vehemently opposed by the Federal Government on the ground that all ailments claimed by Mamu could be treated by DSS medical facilities.

After taking arguments for and against the bail request, Justice Ekwo reserved ruling till a date that would be communicated to parties.

The judge ordered that Mamu remains in DSS custody pending a ruling on the bail application.