Standing trial for terrorism offenses, Mohammed Tukur Mamu, a terrorist negotiator, has submitted an application to the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking a transfer from the Department of the State Service (DSS) custody.
During his trial on Monday, Mamu, represented by lawyer Abdul Mohammed, SAN, requested Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo to modify the remand order to specify Kuje Prison as his remand location instead of DSS custody.
Mamu alleged that the court’s order on December 19, 2023, granting him access to his personal physician for medical care was not adhered to by the DSS.
In a motion argued by Mohammed, Mamu claimed he was allowed one visit from the physician for a comprehensive medical examination, after which a medical report was submitted to the DSS.
He asserted that since the submission of the report, the physician had been denied access to him, urgently needing surgical procedures in any hospital within the country.
Mamu also stated that his health had significantly deteriorated, expressing concern that his life could be at risk if he remains in DSS custody, insisting that he can only stand trial if alive.
During the proceedings, a Federal Government attorney, David Emmanuel Kaswe, designated to respond to Mamu’s request, mysteriously disappeared from the courtroom without any explanation, causing a delay in the trial for over an hour.
Expressing surprise at the attorney’s unexpected absence, Justice Ekwo remarked, “I am aware that the prosecution counsel was in this court room this morning. The miracle of his disappearance is, however, beyond my understanding.
Justice Ekwo then ruled that the processes filed by the lawyer against Mamu’s application be considered adopted, scheduling May 20 for the decision on whether to move Mamu from DSS custody to Kuje prison.
Mamu was apprehended at the Aminu Kano International Airport upon his return from Egypt on September 6, 2022, due to his alleged association with the terrorists responsible for the Abuja-Kaduna train attack on March 28, 2022.
On March 21, 2023, the DSS arraigned him on 10 counts of terrorism financing, to which Mamu pleaded not guilty.