By Ken Afor
Tukur Mamu, the alleged terrorist negotiator who is facing terrorism charges, has filed an application at the Federal High Court in Abuja, requesting that he be transferred from the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) to Kuje Prison.
Mr Mamu has implored Justice Inyang Ekwo to vary the existing remand order, which places him under the supervision of the DSS.
He argues that his continued detention within DSS facilities should be replaced with remand at Kuje Prison while his trial proceedings are ongoing.
At the resumption of the trial on Monday, April 29, Mamu, represented by his lawyer, Abdul Mohammed, alleged that the DSS failed to comply with the court order, issued on December 19, 2023, directing that Mamu be granted access to his personal physician for medical treatment.
In a motion filed and argued by Mohammed, Mamu claims that he was permitted to see the physician only once.
During this single visit, an alleged report recommending a comprehensive medical examination be conducted on Mamu was submitted to the DSS authorities.
However, according to the motion, no further access to the physician has been provided since then.
Mamu also alleges that since the initial medical report was submitted to the DSS, his physician has not been granted any subsequent access to provide him with medical care.
According to him, he requires urgent surgical operations that can only be performed at a hospital within the country.
The defendant has claims his health condition has significantly deteriorated during his custody with the DSS.
Mamu asserts that if he is not transferred out of DSS custody to Kuje Prison, there is a risk that he may lose his life at any moment due to the lack of adequate medical attention.
In his motion, Mamu has emphasised the urgency of the situation, stating that remaining in DSS custody without proper medical treatment could potentially prove fatal for him.
He has pleaded with the court to grant his request for transfer to Kuje Prison, to receive the necessary surgical procedures and medical care.
In his appeal to the court, Mamu pledges to maintain regular attendance at all hearings related to the terrorism charges against him, provided that he remains alive.
He has stressed that his ability to stand trial hinges on receiving proper medical care to address his deteriorating health condition.
After hearing arguments from both sides, Justice Ekwo scheduled May 20 as the date for delivering the ruling on Mamu’s application to vary the remand conditions and transfer him from DSS custody to Kuje Prison.
The New Diplomat recalls that Mamu, a media aide to Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, was arrested by the DSS on September 7, 2022, at the Aminu Kano International Airport, in Kano State, upon his return from Egypt where he was initially detained by Interpol in Cairo.
He was arrested due to his alleged connections to the terrorist group responsible for carrying out the deadly train attack on the Abuja-Kaduna railway line in March 2022.
According to the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), Mamu allegedly facilitated the payment and transfer of ransom of over $200,000 to the ISWAP terrorist group in exchange for the release of hostages taken during the Abuja-Kaduna train attack.
