The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed January 27, 2027, for judgment in the terrorism trial of Tukur Mohammed Mamu, who is accused of facilitating ransom payments to Boko Haram terrorists involved in the March 2022 Abuja-Kaduna train attack.
Justice Mohammed Umar fixed the date on Monday after the prosecution and defence adopted their final written addresses, bringing the trial to its final stage.
The Federal Government is seeking Mamu’s conviction on a 17-count amended charge bordering on terrorism financing, money laundering and unlawful possession of firearms.
However, Mamu’s counsel, Johnson Usman, SAN, urged the court to discharge and acquit his client, insisting that the prosecution failed to establish the allegations against him.
Usman particularly questioned the prosecution’s handling of a rifle allegedly recovered from Mamu’s residence, arguing that the licence for the firearm was not properly produced before the court despite repeated demands by the defence.
He maintained that the licence was valid as of the time of Mamu’s arrest and argued that the prosecution’s failure to establish its status raised doubts that should be resolved in his client’s favour.
The defence lawyer likened the situation to arresting a vehicle owner over an expired vehicle licence while the vehicle was parked at home.
But prosecuting counsel, David Kaswe, disagreed, telling the court that both the rifle and its licence had already been tendered as exhibits through the fifth prosecution witness, an exhibit keeper.
Kaswe urged the court to hold that the prosecution had discharged its burden of proof and convict Mamu on the charges.
The defence also commended the Department of State Services (DSS) for allowing Mamu’s family access to him in compliance with an earlier court order.
The case arose from allegations that Mamu, who reportedly served as a negotiator following the Abuja-Kaduna train attack, diverted the ransom negotiation process for personal financial gain.
The Federal Government alleged that he encouraged the terrorists to negotiate directly with families of the abducted passengers rather than through the Chief of Defence Staff Committee established to secure the victims’ release.
According to the prosecution, Mamu received and facilitated the delivery of ransom payments to the terrorists on behalf of the victims’ families.
He was also accused of exchanging voice notes with a Boko Haram spokesperson and handling funds allegedly linked to terrorist activities.
Mamu was arrested by Egyptian security officials at Cairo International Airport on September 7, 2022, over suspicions of involvement in financing Boko Haram terrorism.
He was initially arraigned on a 10-count charge, which was later amended to 17 counts to include allegations of money laundering and unlawful possession of firearms.
Among the allegations are the receipt of $120,000 in ransom payments, dealing in funds allegedly amounting to $269,200 and N25.69 million, as well as possession of foreign currencies allegedly linked to terrorist financing.
The amended charge also accused him of unlawfully possessing a Delta Magnum pump-action firearm and 47 cartridges without a valid licence.
Mamu pleaded not guilty to all 17 counts when he was re-arraigned on June 1.
With final arguments concluded, the court will now determine whether the Federal Government has established the allegations beyond reasonable doubt or whether the defence has raised sufficient grounds for his acquittal.
The judgment scheduled for January 27, 2027, is expected to determine Mamu’s criminal liability in a case arising from one of Nigeria’s major security incidents, the Abuja-Kaduna train attack, which left several passengers abducted.
