The publisher of a Kaduna-based newspaper, Desert Herald, Tukur Mamu, has demanded the retraction of his designation and profiling as a ‘terrorist financier’ by the Nigerian government.
Mr Mamu was the self-appointed negotiator for the release of the abducted Abuja-Kaduna train passengers.
He has been in the custody of the State Security Service, SSS, since September 2022 when he was arrested on allegations of sponsoring terrorism in the country.
On March 18, the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, NFIU, named Mr Mamu, alongside 15 others, as terrorism financers.
Consequently, Mr Mamu, in a letter dated March 25, and addressed to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, described the action of the government as prejudice, a violation of natural justice, and attempt to soil his hard-earned reputation.
In the letter, which was signed by his lawyer, J.J. Usman, Mr Mamu said no court has pronounced him guilty of terrorism financing.
The letter partly read: “We are counsel to Mr. Tukur Mohammed Mamu [hereinafter referred to as our client], on whose firm and absolute instructions we relate with you on the above subject matter.
“Recall that our client was arraigned by the Federal Government of Nigeria, particularly before the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, in CHARGE NO:FHC/ABJ/CR/96/2023 between THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA V, TUKUR MOHAMMED MAMU.
“In furtherance to this, it is remarkable to note that your office is currently prosecuting our client on allegations concerning terrorism,
“Attached herewith is a certified true copy of the said charge, marked as Annexure “A” for ease of reference.
“It is lamentable to observe that on 19/03/2024: while the case against our client is still pending, the social media was saturated by a publication allegedly emanating from and authorised by your good office.
“However, the said publication was specifically made by the “Nigerian Sanctions Committee,” wherein our client was profiled and designated as a “terrorist [terrorist financier].
“Attached herewith is a copy of the publication downloaded from the online marked as Annexure “B” for ease of reference.
“It is common knowledge that the administration of criminal justice system in Nigeria is not only antithetic to, but forbids media trial in whatever guise.
“We vehemently condemn the actions of the Nigerian Sanctions Committee being a violation of the rule of natural justice and prejudicial to Our Client who is undergoing trial, and whose trial is still pending in SUIT FHCIABJ/CR/96/2023.
“It is sardonic and very disheartening that this publication is coming from the Nigerian Sanctions Committee; which ordinarily should be fueling the front burner in championing the course for the sustenance of the Rule of Law in Nigeria.
“Albeit, the Nigerian Sanctions Committee lacks the statutory mandate to pronounce on, and to designate Mr. Tukur Mohammed Mamu as a terrorist financier, even when it is a notorious fact that Mr. Tukur Mohammed Mamu is undergoing trial. It is so, particularly that the court has not made any pronouncements detailing him to be one.
“It is our firm position that the action of the Nigerian Sanctions Committee is not just tantamount to the usurpation of the Court’s power provided under Section 6 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended); but is a mockery of the Nigerian judicial system.”
Mr Mamu, therefore, asked the AGF to retract the allegations within seven-days or face legal action.
“We do not doubt the deliberate ploy to soil the name and the hard-earned reputation of our client, in whose favour the constitutional right to the presumption of innocence inures.
“By the publication above referred to, it becomes crystal clear that the Federal Government of Nigeria is the complainant against Our Client; the prosecutor of Our Client, and now putting itself in a head-on collision with the judicial power of the court by assuming adjudicatory position thereon.
“Adjusting our client as a terrorist has eroded all the jurisprudential tenets of the rules of natural justice.
“Based on the aforesaid, we demand, in very clear and unequivocal terms, the immediate retraction of the said publication within 7 days from the receipt of this letter dated 25h March 2024.
“Failure to comply with our client’s demand. We will have no hesitation in seeking redress in the court of law for the ventilation of our client’s grievance,” the letter added.
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