Court orders SSS to arraign or release terrorists’ negotiator, Tukur Mamu

January 23, 2023

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Court orders SSS to arraign or release terrorists’ negotiator, Tukur Mamu

Story from Ibraheem Hamza MUHAMMAD

Justice E. Andow of the High Court of Justice, Kaduna State Judicial Division, has directed the Department of State Security Services (SSS) to either arraign terrorist negotiator, Malam Tukur Mamu or release him and another person in their custody.

This ruling was contained in a certified court copy made available to journalists with suit number KDM/KAD/1442/2022.

The applicants are Tukur Mamu, Faisal Tukur Mamu, Ibrahim Hussain Tinja, Abdullahi Mashi, Mubarak Hussain Tinja, and Yahaya Bello, while the respondents are the State Security Service (SSS respondent/objector) and Attorney General of the Federation respectively.

In his ruling, Justice E. Andow said, “This is a motion on notice dated 15/12/2022 wherein the applicants prayed this court as follows: An order enforcing the applicant’s fundamental human rights as guaranteed, enshrined and protected by section 34, 35, 36 & 41 of the constitution of the Federal Republic 1999, order 2 of fundamental human rights (enforcement procedure) rules 2009 and Articles 3, 5 & 6 of the African charter on human and people’s right for same being breached or likely to be breached by the respondent, their agent’s privies and assigns.

“An order of this honourable court directing the respondents to immediately arraign and charge the applicants before a court of competent jurisdiction for any offence (s) as disclosed from their investigation (if any).

“Alternatively, an order directing the respondents to admit the applicants on bail pending the conclusion of their investigation.

“And for such, other orders as this honourable court may deem fit to make in the circumference of this case”.

Counsel to Tukur Mamu, Barrister M. S. Katu (SAN), informed the court that the SSS released 2, 3 & 4 applicants, except 5 & 6.

Faisal Tukur Mamu, Ibrahim Hussain Tinja, and Abdullahi Mashi.

Barrister M.S. Katu commended the SSS as respondents and urged the court to grant the reliefs sought for Mubarak Hussain Tinja and Yahaya Bello.

The court later directed that the applicants be arraigned and charged before a court of competent jurisdiction for any offence (s) as may be disclosed from their investigation (if any).

It could be recalled that Tukur Mamu, Publisher of Desert Herald Newspaper, and a media aide to Sheikh Ahmad Gumi was arrested at Malam Aminu Kano International Airport after he returned from Egypt where he had been detained on his way to Saudi Arabia for lesser hajj.

Tukur Mamu has been negotiating with terrorists for the release of passengers kidnapped on the Abuja/Kaduna train which was bombed by bandits on 28 March 2022.