Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed January 27, 2027, for judgment in the terrorism financing trial of Tukur Mamu, the publisher of Desert Herald newspaper and alleged negotiator in the 2022 Abuja-Kaduna train attack.
Gatekeepers News reports that Justice Mohammed Umar fixed the date on Monday, November 2, after the prosecution and defence adopted their final written addresses and presented their arguments.
Mamu is facing a 17-count amended charge filed by the Federal Government, bordering on terrorism financing, money laundering and unlawful possession of firearms.
During Monday’s proceedings, Mamu’s counsel, Johnson Usman (SAN), urged the court to acquit and discharge his client, arguing that the prosecution had failed to establish the allegations against him.
The defence lawyer specifically challenged the prosecution’s handling of a firearm allegedly recovered from Mamu’s residence, insisting that the relevant licence had not been produced in court despite repeated requests.
Justice Umar asked whether the defence was referring to an expired licence, but Usman maintained that the document was still valid at the time of Mamu’s arrest.
Usman argued that the prosecution’s failure to produce the licence raised doubts about the firearms allegation.
However, prosecution counsel, David Kaswe, who represented the Attorney-General of the Federation, disagreed, telling the court that the firearm and its licence had already been tendered through the prosecution’s fifth witness, an exhibit keeper.
Kaswe maintained that the Federal Government had presented sufficient evidence to establish its case and urged the court to convict Mamu.
The defendant’s lawyer also commended the Department of State Services (DSS) for granting Mamu’s family access to him in compliance with an earlier court order.
“My lord, I thank the current regime of DSS for the access given to the defendant’s family.
“When they do well, we should praise them. My sincere gratitude to the DG DSS,” Usman said.
Mamu was initially arraigned on a 10-count charge but was subsequently re-arraigned on June 1, 2026, following an amendment that increased the charges to 17.
He pleaded not guilty to all the counts.
The Federal Government accused him of supporting Boko Haram, obstructing the Chief of Defence Staff committee established to negotiate the release of passengers abducted during the March 28, 2022, Abuja-Kaduna train attack, and collecting ransom payments on behalf of the terrorist group.
He was also accused of receiving $120 million in ransom payments from families of the abducted passengers, exchanging voice notes with a Boko Haram spokesperson and dealing in funds allegedly connected to terrorism.
Other allegations included money laundering and unlawful possession of a firearm and about 47 cartridges without a valid licence.
Mamu was arrested by Egyptian security officials at Cairo International Airport on September 7, 2022, and subsequently returned to Nigeria to face trial.
The Federal Government called seven witnesses before closing its case, while Mamu opened his defence on April 23, 2026, and testified as the sole defence witness.
Following the adoption of the final addresses by both parties, Justice Umar adjourned the matter until January 27, 2027, for judgment.
