The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed January 27, 2027, for judgment in Tukur Mamu’s terrorism financing trial involving allegations linked to the 2022 Abuja-Kaduna train attack.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed January 27, 2027, for judgment in the alleged terrorism financing case instituted by the Federal Government against Tukur Mamu, the suspected negotiator during the 2022 Abuja-Kaduna train attack hostage crisis.
Justice Mohammed Umar fixed the date on Monday after lawyers representing the Federal Government and Mamu adopted their final written addresses and presented their arguments for and against the charges.
Mamu is facing allegations bordering on terrorism financing, money laundering and unlawful possession of firearms without a valid licence.
He was initially arraigned on a 10-count charge, which the prosecution subsequently amended to include additional offences.
At Monday’s proceedings, Mamu’s counsel, Johnson Usman, SAN, informed the court that the matter was scheduled for the adoption of final written addresses.
Usman said the defence’s final written address was dated July 22 and filed on July 23, while its reply on points of law was dated and filed on October 30.
Adopting the documents, the senior lawyer urged the court to acquit and discharge his client, arguing that the prosecution had failed to establish the allegations against him.
The defence also challenged the prosecution’s handling of a firearm allegedly recovered from Mamu’s residence, particularly the failure to produce its licence in court.
Justice Umar asked whether the licence in question had expired, but Usman maintained that the defence’s position was that it remained valid when Mamu was arrested.
He argued that although the prosecution took custody of the firearm and its licence, its alleged failure to produce the document raised doubts that should be resolved in favour of his client.
The lawyer likened the situation to a vehicle owner whose car remained parked at home, arguing that the owner should not be penalised over an expired vehicle licence when the vehicle was not being driven.
He further claimed that the defence had requested the document on three occasions without success.
However, the Federal Government’s counsel, David Kaswe, an Assistant Director representing the Attorney-General of the Federation, disagreed with the defence’s submission.
Kaswe told the court that the firearm and its licence had already been tendered as exhibits during the testimony of the fifth prosecution witness, an exhibit keeper.
He also recalled that the court had granted the prosecution’s application for the safe custody of the firearm and other exhibits.
Adopting the prosecution’s final written address, dated September 18 and filed on September 21, Kaswe urged the court to hold that the Federal Government had discharged the burden of proof and convict Mamu as charged.
Meanwhile, Usman commended the Department of State Services (DSS) for granting members of Mamu’s family access to the defendant in compliance with a court order.
The lawyer expressed appreciation to the current DSS leadership, saying public institutions should be acknowledged when they act appropriately.
Following the adoption of the final addresses, Justice Umar adjourned the matter until January 27, 2027, for judgment.
According to reports, Mamu, the sole defendant in the case, was re-arraigned on June 1 on an amended 17-count charge.
He pleaded not guilty to all the allegations, after which the prosecution proceeded with its case.
The Federal Government had earlier closed its case after calling seven witnesses, following which Mamu opened his defence on April 23 and testified as the sole defence witness.
In count one of the charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/96/2023, the defendant was accused of providing support to the Boko Haram terrorist group in Kaduna on or about March 28, 2022.
The prosecution alleged that he instigated the group to boycott the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Committee established by the Federal Government to negotiate the release of hostages abducted during the Abuja-Kaduna train attack.
According to the charge, the alleged action was intended to strengthen his position as a negotiator for the payment, receipt and delivery of ransom from the victims’ families.
In another count, Mamu was accused of undermining and obstructing the CDS Committee’s efforts to secure the release of the hostages.
The prosecution also alleged that he received ransom payments amounting to 120 million dollars on behalf of the terrorist group from families of the victims, contrary to Section 21(3)(a) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Other allegations included exchanging voice-note communications relating to terrorist activities with Baba Adamu, identified in the charge as a Boko Haram spokesperson, and dealing in terrorist property contrary to Section 23(1)(a) of the same Act.
The defendant was further accused of possessing terrorist funds amounting to 1,840 Indian rupees, 1,700 Egyptian pounds and 115 UAE dirhams.
He also faced allegations of unlawfully possessing approximately 47 cartridges without a valid firearms licence, contrary to Section 3 of the Firearms Act, CAP F.28, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, punishable under Section 28 of the Act.
The court is expected to deliver its judgment on January 27, 2027.
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