‘Terrorism’: FG presents witnesses in trial of hostage negotiator Tukur Mamu

The trial of Tukur Mamu, publisher of Desert Herald, has
commenced before a federal high court in Abuja.

Mamu was arraigned in March 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.

When the matter was called on Friday, E.A. Kaswe, counsel to
the federal government, told the court that their witnesses were present.

“May I humbly ask the court to enforce the order granted for
all parties not party to the suit to vacate the court,” he said.

Inyang Ekwo, the presiding judge, had on Wednesday, granted
an ex parte application seeking to protect the prosecution witnesses.

In the motion,  the
federal government had prayed for an order “excluding persons other than
parties and their legal representatives at the hearing of the above-named
charge except members of the accredited press”.

“An order of this honourable court vacating the courtroom
whenever the prosecution witnesses are coming to testify,” the motion reads.

“An order of this honourable court shielding the physical
identity of the prosecution witnesses by wearing facial masks and or the use of
screen whenever prosecution witnesses are testifying.

“An order of this honourable court directing the use of
pseudo names by prosecution witnesses and deleting the real names and addresses
of prosecution witnesses throughout the proceedings of this case.”

Consequently, at the court session on Friday, Ekwo ordered
non-parties in the suit, including accredited journalists to vacate the
courtroom.

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 Abuja-Kaduna 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 in March 2022.