…By Dorcas Funmi for TDPel Media. In Courtroom 7 of a Federal High Court in Abuja, an unexpected turn of events occurred during the trial of Tukur Mamu, a former negotiator for terrorists.
Lawyers, litigants, and journalists were asked to leave the room, and proceedings took an intriguing direction.
Witness Protection Order:
E.A Kaswe, representing the Attorney-General of the Federation, confirmed the presence of the prosecution’s witnesses and requested Justice Inyang Ekwo to enforce an order allowing only involved parties to remain in the courtroom.
Surprisingly, this contradicted an earlier request from the prosecution, which had sought to permit accredited journalists to observe the proceedings.
Ultimately, the trial continued behind closed doors.
Background on the Case:
The trial centers around Tukur Mamu, who faces charges related to financing terrorism, particularly in connection to a train attack en route to Kaduna in the previous year.
He is accused of having ties to terrorists involved in the said attack.
Witness Identity Protection:
To protect the identities of the witnesses, Justice Ekwo granted an ex-parte motion filed by E.A Kaswe on behalf of the Federal Government.
The motion requested various measures, including allowing witnesses to wear facial masks, use pseudonyms, and clearing the courtroom when they testify.
Mamu’s Previous Denial of Bail:
Mamu, a former negotiator with terrorists, had been brought before the court on March 21.
Despite pleading not guilty, he was denied bail on April 27.
The reasons cited were insufficient health-related justifications and his inability to refute counter-claims made by the Department of State Services, which is currently holding him in custody.
Charges Against Mamu:
The Federal Government has accused Mamu of facilitating and supporting Boko Haram terrorist attacks against innocent Nigerians.
The charges include allegations of collecting significant sums of money from the families of train attack victims on behalf of the terrorist group.
Furthermore, it is claimed that Mamu concealed these funds at his residence in Kaduna, which is in violation of the Terrorism Prevention, Prohibition Act.
However, Mamu has denied all the accusations when they were presented to him.
Conclusion:
The trial of Tukur Mamu, the former negotiator for terrorists, took a surprising turn as the courtroom was cleared for witness protection measures.
Despite the secrecy surrounding the proceedings, the charges against Mamu remain significant, involving allegations of financing terrorism and assisting in Boko Haram attacks.
The outcome of the trial will have significant implications for the country’s efforts to combat terrorism and ensure justice for the victims and their families.