The Federal Government on Monday re-arraigned Tukur Mamu, the alleged negotiator for terrorists during the 2022 Abuja-Kaduna train attack hostage crisis, on an amended 17-count charge bordering on terrorism, money laundering, and unlawful possession of firearms.
Mamu was re-arraigned before Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja, where he pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
The defendant, who was arrested by Egyptian security officials at Cairo International Airport on September 7, 2022, was initially arraigned on a 10-count charge related to terrorism financing. However, the prosecution later amended the charge, increasing the counts to 17 and introducing additional allegations, including money laundering and illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.
At the resumed hearing, an Assistant Director in the Federal Ministry of Justice, David Kaswe, informed the court that the amended charge, dated May 26, had been filed and served on the defence.
Kaswe said the new counts were incorporated based on evidence already presented before the court and requested that Mamu take his plea on the amended charge.
Mamu’s counsel, Johnson Usman (SAN), did not oppose the application, prompting Justice Umar to direct that the amended charges be read to the defendant.
After the charges were read, Mamu pleaded not guilty to all 17 counts. The prosecution subsequently commenced cross-examination of the defendant, who had earlier opened his defence and testified as the sole witness in his case.
Mamu began his defence on April 23 after the Federal Government closed its case, having called seven witnesses during the trial.
According to the amended charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/96/2023, Mamu allegedly provided support to the Boko Haram terrorist group around March 28, 2022, in Kaduna State.
The prosecution alleged that he encouraged the terrorist group to boycott a negotiation committee established by the Federal Government and led by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) to facilitate the release of hostages from the Abuja-Kaduna train attack. He was accused of doing so to strengthen his position as a negotiator involved in the payment, receipt, and delivery of ransom funds.
The government also alleged that Mamu obstructed the activities of the CDS committee and received $120,000 in ransom payments from families of victims on behalf of the terrorist group.
Other charges accused him of exchanging voice-note communications relating to terrorist activities with Boko Haram spokesman Baba Adamu and dealing in terrorist funds amounting to $269,200 and N25.69 million allegedly recovered from him.
The amended charge further alleged that Mamu possessed foreign currencies, including Indian rupees, Egyptian pounds, and UAE dirhams, suspected to be linked to terrorist financing.
He was also charged with money laundering involving the sums of N25.69 million and $269,200.
In addition, the Federal Government accused him of unlawfully possessing a Delta Magnum pump-action firearm and 47 rounds of ammunition without a valid licence, contrary to the provisions of the Firearms Act.
Following the cross-examination proceedings, Justice Umar adjourned the matter until June 8 for continuation of the trial.
