TheCable

Tukur Mamu, publisher of Desert Herald, has asked a federal high court in Abuja to grant him bail.

Mamu was arraigned on Tuesday by the office of the attorney-general of the federation (AGF) on a 10-count charge bordering on terrorism.

However, he pleaded not guilty to all the counts and denied having allegiance to the terrorists.

After arraignment, Sani Katu, Mamu’s lawyer, drew the court’s attention to a bail application filed for his client.

The application dated March 8 is supported by a 21-paragraph affidavit, and an exhibit with a written address.

Katu said although he has been served with the prosecution’s counter affidavits opposing the bail application, it was within the court’s discretion whether or not to grant bail.

He added that his client is suffering from a disease that requires surgery.

“I don’t think such can be done in DSS custody,” he said.

Responding, Aderonke Imana, the prosecuting counsel, prayed the court to dismiss Mamu’s bail application.

She said exhibits attached to the preliminary objection showed that Mamu has been stable and is well attended to by medical experts.

Imana also told the court that there are four witnesses to testify during the trial against the defendant.

Inyang Ekwo, the presiding judge, reserved ruling on the bail application to a date that would be communicated to the parties for a ruling on the bail plea.

The judge ordered Mamu to remain in DSS custody pending the determination of the bail application.

Mamu is alleged to have received $120,000 as ransom payments on behalf of the Boko Haram terrorist group.

The monies were said to have been received from families of hostages kidnapped during the Abuja-Kaduna train attack.

He was also accused of exchanging voice note communications relating to the hostages with one Baba Adamu, a Boko Haram spokesperson.

The federal government also tagged the $300,000 found in Mamu’s possession after his arrest as terrorist funds.

Mamu, an aide to Ahmad Gumi, a popular Islamic cleric, was involved in negotiations for the release of the passengers abducted during the attack on a Kaduna-bound train in March 2022.