Federal Government Re‑Arraigns Tukur Mamu on Amended 17‑Count Terrorism Charge
The Federal Government on Monday re‑arraigned Tukur Mamu, alleged negotiator for terrorists during the 2022 Abuja–Kaduna train hostage crisis, before Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on an amended 17‑count terrorism charge. Mamu pleaded not guilty.
Mamu, arrested on 7 September 2022 by Egyptian security officials at Cairo International Airport, was initially arraigned on a 10‑count charge bordering on terrorism financing. The prosecution has now expanded the indictment to include money laundering and unlawful possession of firearms.
At Monday’s proceedings, David Kaswe, Assistant Director at the Federal Ministry of Justice, informed the court that the amended charge, dated and filed 26 May 2026, had been duly served on defence counsel. He explained that the additional counts were necessitated by evidence already before the court.Defence counsel, Johnson Usman, SAN, did not oppose the application, and Justice Umar ordered the amended charge to be read. Mamu pleaded not guilty to all 17 counts. The prosecution immediately commenced cross‑examination, following Mamu’s earlier testimony as sole defence witness after opening his defence on 23 April 2026.
In count one & two of the charges, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/96/2023, Mamu allegedly supported Boko Haram, instigating the group to boycott the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Committee set up to negotiate hostage release, thereby enhancing his role as ransom negotiator.
Count three accused him that he allegedly received $120,000 ransom payments on behalf of Boko Haram, contrary to Section 21(3)(a), Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
He was also alleged to have committed an offence preparatory to, or in furtherance of, an act of terrorism when he exchanged voice-note communications relating to acts of terrorism with Baba Adamu, the Boko Haram spokesperson.
Mamu was accused of dealing in terrorist funds in the sums of $269,200 and N25,690,500 in counts six and seven, which were allegedly found in his possession.
He was said to have committed an offence of dealing in terrorist property contrary to Section 23(1)(a) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act.
The defendant was equally alleged to have been dealing in terrorist funds in the form of 1,840 Indian rupees, 1,700 Egyptian pounds and 115 UAE dirhams in counts 11, 12 and 13, which were found in his possession.
Counts 14 and 15 accused Mamu of money laundering offences involving N25,690,500 and $269,200 allegedly found in his possession.
In count 16, the Federal Government accused him of unlawful possession of a firearm when he allegedly had a Delta Magnum pump-action firearm in his possession without a valid licence.
Mamu was also accused of unlawful possession of firearms when he allegedly had about 47 cartridges (ammunition) in his possession without a valid licence sometime around March 28, 2022.
The offences are contrary to Section 3 of the Firearms Act, Cap F.28, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (LFN), 2004, and punishable under Section 28 of the same Act.
The Federal Government had earlier closed its case after calling seven witnesses. The matter has now been adjourned to 8 June 2026 for continuation of cross‑examination.
