Alleged Terrorism Financing: Court Fixes Jan 2027 For Judgment In Case Against Mamu

Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja fixed January 27, 2027, for judgment in a charge filed by the Federal Government against Tukur Mamu, an alleged negotiator with terrorists during the Abuja-Kaduna train attack in 2022.

Justice Umar fixed the date after the Federal Government’s lawyer, David Kaswe, and Mamu’s counsel, Johnson Usman, SAN, adopted their final written addresses and presented their arguments for and against the case.

Mamu, who was arrested on September 7, 2022, by the Egyptian security officials at the Cairo International Airport, was earlier arraigned on a 10-count charge bordering on terrorism financing.

However, the prosecution amended the counts by bringing in more offences, including unlawful possession of firearms without a valid licence and money laundering charges.

At the day’s proceedings, Usman informed the court that the case was scheduled for adoption of parties’ final written addresses.

Usman argued that though the defence team had consistently demanded the licence of the rifle allegedly recovered from Mamu’s residence, the lawyer said the prosecution had failed to produce the licence in court.

“You mean the expired licence?” Justice Umar asked Usman.

Responding, Usman submitted that their contention was that the licence was not expired as of the time Mamu was arrested.

He said even though the prosecution took custody of the arms and the licence, their failure to produce it in court had raised serious issues of doubt.

He, therefore, urged the court to resolve the issue in favour of his client.

According to him, they had asked for this on three consecutive occasions, but they failed to produce it in court.

But counsel for the Federal Government disagreed with Usman’s submission.

The prosecution lawyer recalled that the licence and the rifle had already been tendered before the court.

Kaswe recalled that after the prosecution applied for a safe-keep of the rifle and other exhibits, the court granted their request.

The lawyer, who adopted their final written address dated September 18, said the process was filed on Sept. 21.

Usman, however, thanked the Department of State Services (DSS) for granting access to Mamu’s family members in accordance with the court order.

After listening to the lawyers, Justice Umar fixed January 27, 2027, for judgment.