2022 Train Attack: FG Re-arraigns Tukur Mamu on Amended Terrorism Charge

The Federal Government on Monday re‑arraigned Tukur Mamu, the alleged negotiator for terrorists during the Abuja‑Kaduna train attack hostage crisis in 2022, on an amended 17‑count terrorism charge.

Mamu, who was re‑arraigned before Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja, pleaded not guilty.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mamu was arrested on 7 September 2022 by Egyptian security officials at Cairo International Airport and was earlier arraigned on a 10‑count charge related to terrorism financing.

Prosecution later amended the charges by adding offences such as unlawful possession of firearms without a valid licence and money‑laundering allegations.

When the case was called on Monday, David Kaswe, an Assistant Director at the Federal Ministry of Justice, informed the court that an amended charge had been filed and served on the defence counsel. He said the charge was dated and filed on 26 May.

Kaswe explained that the prosecution had incorporated additional counts in line with evidence already presented to the court and requested that the defendant be allowed to enter his plea to the amended charge.

Mamu’s lawyer, Johnson Usman, SAN, did not oppose the application, and Justice Umar directed that the amended charge be read to the defendant.

Mamu pleaded not guilty to the 17 counts after they were read to him, and the prosecution began its cross‑examination while the accused had earlier opened his defence and testified as the sole defence witness.

Mamu opened his defence on 23 April after the Federal Government closed its case by calling seven witnesses in the ongoing trial.

In count one (FHC/ABJ/CR/96/2023), the defendant was alleged to have, around 28 March 2022 in Kaduna, given support to the Boko Haram terrorist group. He was alleged to have instigated the group to boycott the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Committee set up by the Federal Government to negotiate the release of the hostages of the Abuja‑Kaduna train attack, thereby enhancing his role as negotiator for the payment, receipt and delivery of ransom from the families of the hostages.

In count two, he was alleged to have undermined and obstructed the CDS Committee established to negotiate the release of the hostages.

Count three accused him of receiving ransom payments totaling $120,000.00 on behalf of the terrorist group from families of the victims, contrary to Section 21(3)(a) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

He was also alleged to have committed an offence preparatory to or in furtherance of an act of terrorism when he exchanged voice‑note communications related to acts of terrorism with Baba Adamu, the Boko Haram spokesperson.

Mamu was accused of dealing in terrorist funds amounting to $269,200.00 and ₦25,690,500 in counts six and seven, which were allegedly found in his possession. He was said to have committed an offence of dealing in terrorist property contrary to Section 23(1)(a) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act.

The defendant was also alleged to have dealt in terrorist funds in the sums of 1,840 Indian Rupees, 1,700 Egyptian Pounds and 115 UAE Dirham, as set out in counts 11, 12 and 13, which were found in his possession.

Counts 14 and 15 accused Mamu of money‑laundering offences involving ₦25,690,500 and $269,200.00 allegedly found in his possession.

In count 16, the Federal Government accused him of unlawful possession of firearms when he allegedly possessed a Delta Magnum pump‑action firearm without a valid licence.

Mamu was also accused of unlawful possession of firearms when he allegedly possessed about 47 cartridges (ammunition) without a valid licence on 28 March 2022.

These offences are contrary to Section 3 of the Firearms Act CAP F.28 LFN, 2004 and punishable under Section 28 of the Firearms Act, CAP F.28 LFN, 2004.

Shortly after the counts were read to him, the prosecution lawyer began cross‑examination, and the judge adjourned the matter until 8 June for its continuation.

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