government for lack of diligent prosecution in the charge filed against Tukur
Mamu, publisher of Desert Herald newspaper.
At the court session on Monday, David Kaswe, prosecution
counsel, was unavailable despite having entered his name on the cause list,
indicating his presence.
Abdul Mohammed, Mamu’s counsel, urged the court to stand
down the matter to await Kaswe’s return.
However, the prosecution lawyer was still not in court when
the case was called again after the judge had delivered a judgment.
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Inyang Ekwo, the presiding judge, expressed surprise over
“the miraculous disappearance” of the federal government’s lawyer in court.
“I am also aware that the prosecution was in court this
morning, but as to the miracle of the disappearance of the prosecution as at
the time this matter comes up for hearing is beyond my understanding,” Ekwo
said.
“This antic of the prosecution is only being tolerated in
today’s proceeding.
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“If the prosecution demonstrates that they are not ready to
prosecute this matter either diligently or expeditiously, the court will make
the right decision at that point.”
MAMU ASKS TO BE TRANSFERRED TO KUJE PRISON
Mamu’s lawyer moved an application to transfer his client to
the Kuje correctional facility.
He said the prosecution had already responded to the motion.
In the application, the defence counsel said the Department
of State Services (DSS) has refused to obey a previous court order which
directed that Mamu should be allowed access to his doctors.
He said Mamu would get proper medical attention in Kuje
prison.
“This application is brought so that we will take the
defendant to the prisons because they always obey court orders there so that if
we go there, he will have access to his medical officer,” he said.
“It is completely within the discretion of the court and we
do not want to bring an application for contempt as that will take time.
“Therefore, we want
the court to vary the order and the defendant will stay in the Kuja correctional
facility. That is what we are asking for.”
The judge adjourned the matter until May 20 for ruling on
Mamu’s application.
BACKGROUND
Mamu is standing trial for allegedly aiding the terrorists
who attacked the Abuja-Kaduna train in March 2022.
After his arrest in 2022, the federal government said
$300,000 was found in his possession.
He was arraigned in March 2023 by the office of the
attorney-general of the federation (AGF) on a 10-count charge bordering on
terrorism.
However, in March, he pleaded not guilty to all the counts
and denied having allegiance to the terrorists.
Mamu is alleged to have received $120,000 as ransom payments
on behalf of the Boko Haram terrorist group.
The monies were said to have been received from families of
hostages kidnapped during the train attack.
He was also accused of exchanging voice note communications
relating to the hostages with one Baba Adamu, a Boko Haram spokesperson.
The federal government also tagged the $300,000 found in
Mamu’s possession after his arrest as terrorist funds.
Mamu, an aide to Ahmad Gumi, a popular Islamic cleric, was
involved in negotiations for the release of the passengers abducted during the
attack on a Kaduna-bound train.
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