A Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday refused to grant bail to detained alleged terrorists’ negotiator, Tukur Mohammed Mamu, marking the third time his request for bail has been rejected since his arraignment.
Justice Mohammed Umar, who presided over the case, ruled that Mamu should remain in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS). However, the court directed the DSS to take him to any medical facility chosen by his lawyer if his health requires further attention.
The judge explained that one of the main grounds for granting bail is when the prosecution is found to be handling a case carelessly, but in Mamu’s matter, the DSS has shown due diligence and consistency in managing the case. He added that there was no reason to release the defendant at this stage.
Mamu’s counsel had filed the application citing his client’s health condition as the reason for bail, but the court maintained that his medical needs could be adequately managed while in custody. The court also ordered that Mamu be allowed access to his family members.
This marks the third bail rejection since Mamu was arraigned on March 21, 2023, by the Federal Government on a 10-count charge related to terrorism financing and other offenses.The defendant was arrested on September 7, 2022, by Egyptian authorities at Cairo International Airport before being handed over to Nigerian security agencies.
He was accused of aiding Boko Haram by facilitating ransom payments between families of victims kidnapped during the Abuja-Kaduna train attack of March 28, 2022, and the terrorists.
Prosecutors alleged that Mamu acted as an intermediary for the insurgents, collecting and confirming ransom payments from relatives of hostages and ensuring the money reached the terrorists.
The court’s ruling means Mamu will remain in DSS custody pending further proceedings, while the agency continues its case against him.