Court Again Denies Bail to Alleged Terror Financier Tukur Mamu

The Federal High Court in Abuja has once again refused to grant bail to Tukur Mamu, the alleged negotiator for terrorists involved in the Abuja–Kaduna train attack, who is currently being held in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).

Delivering the ruling on Wednesday, Justice Mohammed Umar dismissed the bail application but ordered the DSS to take Mamu to a suitable hospital for medical treatment, acknowledging the defendant’s health complaints.

Justice Umar said that the prosecution had demonstrated diligence in handling the case, adding that lack of diligence is one of the major grounds for granting bail — a condition that did not apply in this instance.

“I have carefully read the application for bail filed by the applicant/defendant and all other accompanying documents,” the judge stated.

“The court must determine whether the defendant has presented sufficient material facts to justify the grant of bail. While the court has discretion to grant bail, such discretion must be exercised judiciously and judicially.”

He noted that key factors in considering bail include the nature of the charges, the strength of evidence, and whether the defendant is likely to interfere with witnesses or abscond during the trial.

The judge therefore directed the defence counsel to select a medical facility of their choice where the DSS should promptly take Mamu for proper treatment.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that this marks the third time the court has denied Mamu’s bail request 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 agents at Cairo International Airport on suspicion of financing Boko Haram terrorism.

He was accused of negotiating ransom payments directly with the terrorists who attacked the Abuja–Kaduna train in March 2022, allegedly for personal financial gain, and of collecting ransom money from families of kidnapped victims for onward delivery to the terrorists.

Mamu has, however, pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Meanwhile, his trial continues before Justice Umar at the Federal High Court, Abuja.

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