A federal high court in Abuja on Wednesday refused to grant bail to the publisher of Desert Herald newspaper, Tukur Mamau, standing trial on a 10-count charge bordering on alleged terrorism financing, among other offences.
In a ruling, the presiding judge, Mohammed Umar, dismissed Mamu’s fresh bail application despite his claims of deteriorating health.
The judge directed the Department of State Services (DSS), which is detaining Mamu, to take him to an appropriate medical facility for proper treatment.
The judge noted that the prosecution has been diligent in handling the case, adding that lack of diligence is one of the key grounds on which bail is granted.
He further ordered that Mamu be allowed to choose a health facility of his preference and that the DSS should grant him access to his family members.
Wednesday’s ruling is the third time the court has denied Mamu bail since his arraignment on March 21, 2023.
Mamu was arrested on September 7, 2022, by Egyptian security officials at Cairo International Airport and subsequently repatriated to Nigeria on suspicion of financing terrorism.
The federal government alleged that he facilitated negotiations between families of hostages abducted during the March 2022 Abuja-Kaduna train attack and members of Boko Haram for his personal financial gain
He was also accused of collecting ransom payments from families of abducted victims, confirming the amounts, and ensuring their delivery to the terrorists.
