The Federal Government on Monday re-arraigned Tukur Mohammed Mamu before a Federal High Court in Abuja on an amended 17-count terrorism charge.

Mamu, described as the negotiator during the March 28, 2022 Abuja-Kaduna train attack hostage crisis, pleaded not guilty to all counts. The amended charge was read before Justice Mohammed Umar after prosecution counsel David Kaswe said the update was to align with evidence already presented in court. Defence counsel Johnson Usman SAN did not oppose the application.

In the amended charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/96/2023, Mamu is alleged to have supported the Boko Haram terrorist group around March 2022 in Kaduna. He is also accused of receiving $120,000 in ransom payments on behalf of the group from families of train attack victims, and of exchanging voice communications with a Boko Haram spokesperson.

The government further alleges he undermined the Chief of Defence Staff Committee set up to negotiate release of hostages, and possessed firearms without licence. He was initially arraigned in 2022 on a 10-count charge before the prosecution filed additional counts including money laundering.

Mamu, who was arrested in Egypt in September 2022, had opened his defence on April 23 after the prosecution closed its case with seven witnesses. Trial continues.

Source: Daily Post, The Nation Newspaper