A Federal High Court in Abuja has once again denied bail to Tukur Mamu, a detained alleged terrorist negotiator, marking the third time the court has rejected his bail application over concerns regarding his health and potential security risk.
Justice Mohammed Umar, in a ruling on the complaint of ill health made by Mamu held that the detaining authority, the Department of State Services (DSS) should continue to keep him, but if need be, take him to another health facility to cater to his health needs.
Justice Umar noted that, going by the history of the case, the DSS had exhibited diligence in its handling of the case and had diligently prosecuted the case.
The court ruled that bail can be granted if the prosecution is found not to be diligent in handling a case. However, citing the diligence of the Department of State Services (DSS) in prosecuting Tukur Mamu’s case, the judge determined that there was no justification for granting bail.
The judge therafter ordered that Mamu’s lawyer choose the health facility to which the defendant should be promptly taken.
He also asked the DSS to allow the defendant access to members of his family.
This is the third time the court has rejected the defendant’s application for bail since his arraignment on March 21, 2023 by the federal government on a 10-count charge bordering on terrorism financing, among others charges.
Mamu was arrested on September 7, 2022, by Egyptian security officials at the Cairo International Airport, on reasonable suspicion of financing Boko Haram terrorists.
Mamu was alleged to have convinced the terrorists to discuss ransom payments with individual families of the hostages of the 28 March, 2022 train attack in Katari, Kaduna State, instead of a Chief of Defence Staff -led Committee set up by the Federal Government.
Mamu was accused of being nominated by the terrorists that attacked the Abuja-Kaduna train in which many persons were killed and some taken hostage.
Mamu was alleged to have collected ransoms on behalf of the Boko Haram terrorists from families of hostages, confirmed the amount and facilitated the delivery of the same to the terrorists.
