The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed January 27, 2027, for judgment in the alleged terrorism financing case against Tukur Mamu, the publisher and negotiator linked to the 2022 Abuja-Kaduna train attack hostage crisis.
Justice Mohammed Umar set the date on Monday after lawyers representing the Federal Government and Mamu adopted their final written addresses and presented their arguments.
Mamu is facing a 17-count amended charge involving alleged terrorism financing, money laundering, unlawful possession of firearms and other terrorism-related offences. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
During Monday’s proceedings, Mamu’s counsel, Johnson Usman, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, urged the court to acquit and discharge his client, arguing that the prosecution had failed to establish the allegations against him.
The defence also challenged the prosecution’s handling of a firearm allegedly recovered from Mamu’s residence, insisting that questions surrounding the weapon’s licence had not been satisfactorily addressed.
Usman argued that the failure to produce the licence in court raised doubts that should be resolved in his client’s favour.
However, the Federal Government’s lawyer, David Kaswe, disagreed, maintaining that the prosecution had presented sufficient evidence to prove its case.
Kaswe told the court that the firearm and its licence had already been tendered as exhibits during the trial. He urged the judge to convict Mamu on the charges.
The defence lawyer also expressed appreciation to the Department of State Services for allowing Mamu’s family members access to him in accordance with a court order.
Following the submissions, Justice Umar adjourned the case until January 27, 2027, when judgment is expected to be delivered.
Mamu was initially arraigned on a 10-count charge in connection with the 2022 Abuja-Kaduna train attack but was later re-arraigned on an amended 17-count charge.
The prosecution alleges that he supported the terrorist group responsible for the attack by encouraging it to bypass the Federal Government’s negotiation committee and deal directly with victims’ families over ransom payments.
He is also accused of receiving ransom money on behalf of the group, communicating with a Boko Haram spokesperson and dealing in funds allegedly linked to terrorism.
The Federal Government further accused him of unlawfully possessing ammunition without a valid licence.
Mamu has denied the allegations and is awaiting the court’s decision. The scheduled date is for judgment; the court has not yet delivered a verdict in the case.
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