By Agency Report
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has rejected Tukur Mamu’s third bail application, citing the seriousness of the charges against him and his alleged breach of previous bail terms.
Mamu, accused of negotiating with terrorists and collecting ransoms on behalf of Boko Haram, is facing a 10-count charge bordering on terrorism financing.
The presiding Judge, Justice Mohammed Umar, in a ruling, however, ordered that Mamu should be taken to the appropriate hospital by the DSS for medical attention, having taken notice of his health complaint.
Justice Umar held that by the history of the case so far, the prosecution had exhibited diligence in it handling of the case.
The judge said one of the reasons for granting bail is where the prosecution is not diligent, adding that since the prosecution in the instant case was diligent, the application for bail cannot be granted.
He, therefore, ordered that the defence lawyer choose a health facility that was comfortable for the defendant, to which he should be promptly taken.
“I have carefully read the application for bail filed by the applicant/defendant and all other accompanied documents,” he said.
The judge said one thing to determine was whether Mamu had placed before the court sufficient material facts to warrant the granting of bail.
He said that though the court had the discretion to grant bail, this must be exercised judiciously and judicially.
The judge said some of the factors to be considered are the nature of the charge, the character of evidence, whether, if granted bail, the defendant will not interfere with the trial, and whether he will not stop attending court proceedings, among others.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the ruling was the third time the court would reject Mamu’s application for bail since he was arraigned on March 21, 2023, by the Federal Government on a 10-count charge bordering on terrorism financing, among others.
Mamu was arrested on Sept. 7, 2022, by Egyptian security officials at the Cairo International Airport, on reasonable suspicion of financing Boko Haram terrorism activities.
He was alleged to have convinced the terrorists to discuss ransom payments with individual families of the hostages of the train attack instead of the Chief of Defence Staff Committee set up by the Federal Government for his personal financial gain.
He was said to have been nominated by the terrorists who attacked the Abuja-Kaduna-bound train sometime in March 2022, which took scores of persons hostage.
Mamu was alleged to have collected ransoms on behalf of the Boko Haram terrorists from families of hostages, confirmed the amount and facilitated the delivery of the same to the terrorists.
He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Meanwhile, Mamu’s trial is ongoing before Justice Umar.
NAN