Court refuses Tukur Mamu’s bail plea again
A Federal High Court in Abuja has again refused to grant bail to Tukur Mamu, a former negotiator between terrorists and families of victims kidnapped during the 2022 Abuja–Kaduna train attack.
The ruling, delivered on Tuesday by Justice Inyang Ekwo, marks the second time Mamu’s bail plea has been rejected since his arrest and arraignment by the Department of State Services (DSS) in 2023.
Judge cites security concerns
Justice Ekwo held that the defendant failed to provide sufficient grounds to warrant a review of the court’s earlier ruling that ordered his remand.
“The issues raised in this renewed application are a repetition of arguments already decided by this court. No new fact has been presented to justify a different outcome,” the judge said.
The court maintained that Mamu’s alleged offences were of serious national security implications, and that granting him bail could potentially interfere with ongoing investigations and prosecution.
DSS opposes bail application
During the hearing, counsel for the DSS, Mr. Ahmed Magaji, opposed the bail application, arguing that Mamu posed a flight risk and had the means to influence witnesses or compromise evidence if released.
“The defendant had maintained extensive contact with terrorist groups before his arrest. There is credible intelligence suggesting that his release could jeopardize national security,” Magaji told the court.
Defence counsel’s argument
Mamu’s lawyer, Mr. A. T. Hassan, had urged the court to grant bail on health grounds, claiming his client’s detention had worsened pre-existing medical conditions.
“My client has consistently cooperated with investigators. He is not a flight risk and deserves bail on compassionate and constitutional grounds,” Hassan said.
However, the court ruled that Mamu’s counsel failed to provide convincing medical evidence that could override the national security concerns cited by the prosecution.
Background
Tukur Mamu, a publisher and media consultant to prominent Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, gained national attention in 2022 for acting as an intermediary between terrorists and hostages’ families following the abduction of passengers on a Kaduna-bound train.
He was later arrested in Cairo, Egypt, while reportedly on his way to Saudi Arabia and was extradited to Nigeria by the DSS.
Mamu faces multiple charges bordering on terrorism financing, possession of terrorist materials, and failure to disclose information about terrorist acts. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
What happens next
The court adjourned the case till November 18, 2025, for continuation of trial, while ordering the DSS to ensure the defendant has adequate medical attention while in custody.
“The defendant shall remain in DSS custody pending the determination of the substantive case,” Justice Ekwo ruled.
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