Mamu Seeks Transfer To Kuje Prison, DSS Lawyer Abandons Proceedings

Terrorist negotiator, Tukur Mamu, standing trial for terrorism offences has applied to the Federal High Court in Abuja, to transfer him from the custody of the Department of the State Services (DSS) to Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja.

Mamu asked Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo to vary the remand order against him for a remand at the prison instead of DSS custody.

During the trial yesterday, Mamu through his lawyer, Abdul Mohammed (SAN), told the court that its order of December 19, 2023, that he should be allowed access to his personal physician for medical treatment was not obeyed by DSS.

In his motion on notice argued by Mohammed, he claimed that he was allowed access to the physician once during which a report of comprehensive medical examination to be carried out on him was submitted to the DSS.

Since the submission of the report, Mamu alleged that the physician had not been allowed to see him and that he needed urgent surgery in any hospital in the county.

The defendant further claimed that his health had since deteriorated and that he may lose his life any moment if he was not moved out of DSS custody to Kuje Prison.

He promised regular attendance at the trial on the terrorism charges adding that he can only stand trial when alive.

There was however a mild drama at the proceeding when a federal government lawyer, David Emmanuel Kaswe, who was billed to respond to Mamu‘s request suddenly disappeared from the court room without any excuse or notification.

The situation forced the court to stand down the proceeding for over one hour but yet the prosecution counsel did not show up.

Justice Ekwo who expressed shock over the attitude of the lawyer to the court said, „I am aware that the prosecution counsel was in this court room this morning.

„The miracle of his disappearance is, however, beyond my understanding. This court stands on the side of justice and the antics of the prosecution will be tolerated for today‘s proceeding only.“

Justice Ekwo invoked the rule of the court and ordered that the processes filed by the lawyer against Mamu‘s application be deemed adopted.

The judge subsequently fixed May 20, 2024 for ruling on whether to move the defendant out of DSS custody to Kuje Prison or not.

Mamu was arrested at the Aminu Kano International Airport upon his arrival from Egypt on September 6, 2022, over his alleged relationship with the terrorists who attacked the Abuja-Kaduna train on March 28, 2022.

The DSS, on March 21, 2023, arraigned him on 10 counts of terrorism financing, among others but he pleaded not guilty to the charges.