The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed January 27, 2027, to deliver its final judgment in the terrorism financing trial of Tukur Mamu, the publisher accused of acting as a negotiator for terrorists following the 2022 Abuja-Kaduna train attack.
The trial judge, Justice Inyang Ekwo, scheduled the verdict date on Monday in Abuja following the adoption of final written addresses by both the prosecution and defense counsel.
Proceedings took place at the Federal High Court complex in the Central Business District of Abuja, where legal teams clashed over the 17-count amended terrorism and money laundering charges filed by the Federal Government against Mamu, the publisher of the Desert Herald newspaper.
Prosecution counsel argued that Mamu actively facilitated terrorism financing and obstructed the committee set up by the Chief of Defence Staff to negotiate the safe release of hostages taken during the March 28, 2022, attack.
The prosecution presented evidence alleging that Mamu received illicit ransom funds in foreign currencies, including $269,200, 1,840 Indian Rupees, 1,700 Egyptian Pounds, and 115 UAE Dirhams, exchanged operational communications with Boko Haram spokesperson Baba Adamu, and unlawfully possessed a Delta Magnum pump-action firearm alongside 47 live cartridges.
In response, lead defense counsel Abdul Mohammed, SAN, urged the court to dismiss the charges, maintaining that the Federal Government failed to establish a prima facie case against his client.
The defense specifically challenged the firearms charge, contending that Mamu held a valid licence that had not expired at the time of his arrest and arguing that the prosecution failed to tender the relevant license documents in court.
Defense lawyer Usman also expressed appreciation to the management of the Department of State Services (DSS) for granting the defendant access to his family during his detention.
The legal battle stems from Mamu’s arrest on September 6, 2022, when Egyptian security authorities intercepted him at Cairo International Airport while he was en route to Saudi Arabia for the Lesser Hajj. He was subsequently repatriated to Nigeria and remanded in DSS custody.
First arraigned in March 2023 on a 10-count charge, Mamu saw the indictment later expanded to 17 counts encompassing terrorism financing, dealing in terrorist property, and illegal firearms possession.
Mamu pleaded not guilty to all counts and testified as the sole defense witness after the prosecution concluded its case with seven witnesses. The court ordered that Mamu remain in the custody of the DSS pending the delivery of the judgment on January 27, 2027.
