The Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled January 27, 2027, to deliver judgment in the terrorism-related case instituted by the Federal Government against Tukur Mamu, who was accused of negotiating with terrorists involved in the 2022 Abuja-Kaduna train attack.
Justice Mohammed Umar fixed the date on Monday after the prosecution and defence lawyers adopted their final written addresses and presented their arguments.
Mamu’s lawyer, Johnson Usman, SAN, urged the court to discharge and acquit his client, arguing that the prosecution had failed to establish the allegations against him.
He also questioned the prosecution’s failure to produce in court the licence for the rifle allegedly recovered from Mamu’s residence, insisting that the document was necessary to establish whether it was valid when his client was arrested.
However, the Federal Government’s lawyer, David Kaswe, disagreed, maintaining that the rifle and its licence had already been tendered as exhibits during the trial.
Kaswe urged the court to uphold the prosecution’s arguments, rule that the government had discharged its burden of proof and convict Mamu as charged.
During Monday’s proceedings, Usman also commended the Department of State Services (DSS) for granting Mamu’s family access to him in compliance with a court order.
Mamu was initially arraigned on a 10-count charge but was subsequently re-arraigned on June 1 on an amended 17-count charge bordering on terrorism financing, money laundering, unlawful possession of firearms and other related offences.
The Federal Government accused him of providing support to Boko Haram, undermining the committee established to negotiate the release of the Abuja-Kaduna train attack hostages and receiving ransom payments on behalf of the terrorist group.
One of the charges alleged that Mamu received $120 million in ransom payments from families of the victims.
He was also accused of exchanging voice notes with Boko Haram spokesperson Baba Adamu concerning terrorist activities and possessing foreign currencies allegedly linked to terrorist financing.
The prosecution further alleged that 47 cartridges were recovered from his possession without a valid firearms licence.
Mamu, who was arrested by Egyptian security officials at Cairo International Airport on September 7, 2022, has pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
The Federal Government called seven witnesses before closing its case, while Mamu later opened his defence and testified as the sole defence witness.
The court will now deliver its judgment on January 27, 2027.
