The Federal High Court in Abuja heard from an investigator with the Department of State Services (DSS) that accusations filed by victims against Tukur Mamu, who is accused of being a terrorism negotiator, backed up the agency’s conclusions.
According to Channels TV, the sixth prosecution witness in the current terrorist trial of Mamu revealed that several victims who were rescued from the 2022 Abuja–Kaduna train incident filed complaints with the DSS.
The witness, who worked for the DSS, made the statement while being questioned by defense attorney Johnson Usman, SAN, in front of Justice Mohammed Umar.
Usman had asked the witness, who was behind a protective screen for safety reasons, to clarify whether any of the rescued victims, including the wife of the Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy, Jaji, had complained about the defendant.
The witness said yes.
The witness said that the complaints were made in writing when they were asked again if they were made verbally or in writing.
David Kaswe, the DSS’s lawyer, told the court that the defense should not be allowed to ask questions that could divulge the names of victims or witnesses. He pointed out that the court had already given all witnesses protection.
In response, Usman told the court that none of the names he gave were on the list of witnesses.
The witness told the court that he talked to six victims during the investigation. He also said that Mamu was not there throughout the interviews.
When asked more questions, the witness said he was not a vocologist because he had not studied sound analysis at any higher level.
But he did say that the audio exhibit given by the prosecution was a part of a written record of communications between Mamu and the terrorists.
The witness said no when asked if he had talked to General Lucky Irabor, a former Chief of Defence Staff.
He did say, though, that General Abdulkadir Abubakar was questioned during the investigation, but not in front of the defendant.
The witness also indicated he talked to Sheikh Ahmad Gumi and General Jalingo, but not Major-General Idris Garba, when Mamu was not there.
When asked another question, the witness replied he did not talk to Hannafi of the Defense Military Intelligence.
Usman also asked the witness to state whether any members of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Committee were interviewed while the defendant was present at any stage throughout the investigation. The witness said no.
The witness stated he knew of the defendant’s request for a face-to-face interview with members of the CDS Committee when he was asked if he knew about it.
After then, Usman enquired if the request had been granted. The witness said, “No, my lord.”
The witness further said that Mamu informed the police he was a publisher of a magazine and a newspaper and that he made his living through journalism.
The witness said yes when asked if this accusation had been looked into.
After cross-examination was over, Kaswe told the court that the prosecution wanted to discontinue its case.
However, Usman told the court that the defense would rather ask for a date to launch its case. He said they would not file a no-case submission “so that the world can see it and God can see it all.”
Justice Umar then put the case on hold until April 23 so the defendant may start his defense.
About the Author
