Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a request by Mohammed Tukur Mamu, a terrorist negotiator, to be transferred from the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) to Kuje Prison in Abuja.
Gatekeepers News reports that Mamu is facing trial for terrorism offences and has been in DSS custody since his arrest in September 2022.
The Federal Government had opposed the request, citing concerns about the recent jailbreaks in prisons. Justice Ekwo ruled that Mamu failed to contradict or dispute the government’s averments, which are now deemed to be true facts. Therefore, he ordered Mamu to remain in DSS custody throughout his trial.
However, the court reaffirmed its earlier order allowing Mamu to access his personal physician for medical treatment under DSS supervision.
Mamu’s lawyer, Abdul Mohammed, SAN, had alleged that the DSS had not complied with the court’s order, and Mamu’s health had deteriorated, requiring urgent surgical operations.
Mamu was arrested in September 2022 over his alleged links to terrorists who attacked the Abuja-Kaduna train in March 2022.
He was arraigned on 10 counts of terrorism financing and other offenses in March 2023 and pleaded not guilty.
