A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has backed an application by the Department of State Security (DSS) to detain Malam Tukur Mamu.
Mamu who is the publisher of the Desert Herald is being held for questioning by the DSS in its investigations into acts of terrorsism in some parts of the country. Mamu was the go-between the families of the kidnapped victims of an Abuja-Kaduna train hi-jack back in March.
In a motion dated and filed on September 12 and marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1617/2022, the DSS urged the court to approve its detention of Mamu for at least 60 days so that investigations could be concluded on his activities. The application was granted by Justice Nkeonye Maha after a brief hearing.
The in support of the application deposited that: “the self-acclaimed Kaduna train negotiator exploited the opportunity to perpetrate, aid and abets as well as render support to both local and international terrorist organisations.
“That the respondent was intercepted by the Nigerian foreign partners at Cairo, Egypt, on 6th September 2022, while on his way to Saudi Arabia for a clandestine meeting with commanders and top leaders of terrorist organisations across the globe.
“That upon his interception and subsequent repatriation to Nigeria, a duly signed search warrant was executed in his residence and office at No. 4, Ali Ladan Street, Sabon Kawo GRA and No. 14, Mamona Road, Anguwan Sarki, Kaduna State and various exhibits and items to establish his complicity with terrorists were recovered.”
The agency listed some of the items recovered from Manu’s residence and office to include 151 dollars, 20 pounds sterling; 1, 530 Indian Rupees; one Saudi Riyald; 70 Dirham; one million, five hundred and six thousand naira; and 16 assorted foreign coins.
The DSS also alleged that two packs of pump action cartridges; 16 ATM (auto-mated machine) cards from both local and foreign banks; seven cheque books from different banks; six laptops; four tablets; 24 handsets and three international passports belonging to Mamu; one firearm licence; eight pieces of Nigerian Army uniforms; 16 pieces of Nigerian Naval uniforms, were among the 34 items recovered.
The DSS said the “preliminary Investigation so far established, amongst others, the offences of a logistic supplier, aiding and abetting acts of terrorism as well as terrorism financing against him.
“That the defendant (Mamu) has used the cover of his profession as a journalist to aid both local and international terrorist groups.
“That the action of the defendant has orchestrated the untimely death of security personnel in North Central and North East parts of Nigeria.
“That the defendant has discreetly given information to bandits and terrorists that escalated various acts of terrorism in Nigeria.
“That the investigation has assumed a wider dimension and sophistication requiring time and advanced expertise to conclude.
“That some of the suspects working with the defendant are at large and premature release of the defendant will jeopardise the ongoing investigation.
“That it is in the interest of justice and national security to grant this application.
“That the activities of the defendant and his associates at large constitute a potent threat to the unity and peaceful co-existence of Nigeria.” NAN
