Tukur Mamu, the terrorist negotiator currently on trial for terrorism offenses, has filed an application with the Federal High Court in Abuja requesting his transfer from the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) to Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja.

Mamu’s lawyer, Abdul Mohammed (SAN), argued that the court’s previous order allowing his client access to his personal physician for medical treatment has been ignored by the DSS. Mamu claimed that he was only granted access to the physician once, and a comprehensive medical report recommending urgent surgery was submitted to the DSS. However, he alleged that the physician has since been denied access to him.

Mamu expressed concern over his deteriorating health and stated that he could lose his life if not moved out of DSS custody. He promised to attend all trial proceedings and emphasized that he could only stand trial if he remained alive.

During the trial, there was a brief drama when federal government lawyer David Emmanuel Kaswe, who was scheduled to respond to Mamu’s request, disappeared from the courtroom without explanation. The court was forced to suspend proceedings for over an hour, but Kaswe did not reappear.

Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo expressed dismay at Kaswe’s absence and stated that the prosecution’s behavior would not be tolerated in future proceedings. He invoked court rules and deemed the processes filed by Kaswe against Mamu’s application as adopted.

The judge scheduled a ruling on Mamu’s transfer request for May 20, 2024.

Mamu was arrested at the Aminu Kano International Airport in September 2022 for his alleged involvement with terrorists who attacked the Abuja-Kaduna train in March 2022. He was arraigned by the DSS on charges of terrorism financing and has pleaded not guilty. CONTINUE READING