By Uche Amunike
The Department of State Services (DSS) has withdrawn a suit filed against renowned former terrorists’ negotiator, Tukur Mamu, Thursday, at a Federal High Court in Abuja, for 60 more days after his arrest.
This was disclosed to Justice Nkeonye Maha, shortly after the matter was called for hearing by DSS Counsel, A.M. Danlami.
According to the news agency of Nigeria, the suit markedFHC/ABJ/CS/1619/2022 between SSS and Tukur Mamu was listed for further proceedings on the day’s cause list.
During hearing, Danlami who sought to withdraw the case admitted that the case had been overtaken by events.
His words: ‘My Lord, this matter is slated for hearing today. However, the matter has been overtaken by events. We wish to withdraw the suit.’
Following the application, the suit was struck out by the suit. According to Justice Maha: ‘Application of the learner counsel succeeds. The application is hereby struck out having been withdrawn.’
On September 13, the security agency moved a motion ex-parte through its lawyer, Ahmed Magaji, seeking an order of the court to detain Tukur Mamu for 60 more days in the first instance, till the investigation is concluded.
The motion, which was marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1617/2022, was filed on September 12, urging the court to grant its reliefs to help it conclude all investigations on Tukur Mamu who had been leading the negotiation with the terrorists for the release of the Abuja-Kaduna passengers who were kidnapped in March.
According to reports from the News Agency of Nigeria, a little after six months after Boko Haram terrorists kidnapped the Abuja-Kaduna train passengers in March, the remaining 23 victims eventually gained their freedom on October 5th, after the federal government intervention.
On September 6, foreign security agents arrested Mamu in Cairo, Capital of Egypt alongside his family members as they were in their way to Saudi Arabia for lesser Hajj. They were detained at the Cairo International Airport before he was repatriated to Nigeria.
The DSS supported the ex-parte motion in the affidavit and alleged that its initial investigation established the offenses of the logistic supplier, aiding and abetting acts of terrorism against Mamu.
In the affidavit deposed by Hamza Pandogari, a legal officer with the DSS, the security outfit said, in the affidavit maintained that it was important for Mamu to be detained for 60 days, pending the conclusion of the investigation of numerous acts of terrorism against him.
It stated that the investigation established an act of terrorism financing against the former terrorists’ negotiator. Among other things, it alleged that the self acclaimed negotiator for the Kaduna train kidnap exploited the chance to perpetrate, aid, abet and give support to various local and international terrorist organizations.
In a statement released by its spokesperson, Peter Afunanya, they asked the public to leave the agency alone and let it concentrate on the investigations which, according to it, explained that the outcome had so far, been mind boggling.
Prior to this, Sheik Gumi, to whom Tukur Mamu was an aide spoke against the arrest and advised the DSS to charge Mamu to court if it had any evidence against him.
