Court Denies Alleged Terrorists’ Negotiator, Tukur Mamu, Third Bail Application — Cites DSS Diligence

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday again refused to grant bail to detained alleged terrorists’ negotiator, Tukur Mohammed Mamu.

Justice Mohammed Umar, ruling on Mamu’s latest bail request premised on ill health, held that the Department of State Services (DSS) should continue to hold him in custody but ensure he receives proper medical care. The judge directed that Mamu be taken to a health facility of his lawyer’s choice if necessary.

Justice Umar commended the DSS for its diligence in handling the case, noting that one key ground for granting bail is where the prosecution is found to be lax or negligent. In this instance, he said, the DSS had shown consistent commitment and diligence, leaving the court with no reason to approve Mamu’s application.

The court further ordered the DSS to grant Mamu access to his family members.

This marks the third time Mamu’s bail application has been rejected since his arraignment on March 21, 2023, on a 10-count charge bordering on terrorism financing and related offences.

Mamu was arrested on September 7, 2022, by Egyptian security officials at the Cairo International Airport over alleged links to Boko Haram financing. He was accused of facilitating ransom negotiations with the terrorists who attacked the Abuja-Kaduna train on March 28, 2022 — a deadly assault in which several passengers were killed and others abducted.

Investigators allege that Mamu acted as an intermediary, collecting and confirming ransom payments from victims’ families and delivering the funds to the terrorist group.