Former terrorist negotiator, Mohammed Mamu standing trial for terrorism offences has approached the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking his transfer out of the custody of the Department of the State Service (DSS).
In a motion on notice , Mamu’s counsel, Abdul Mohammed alleged that the order of the court made on December 19, 2023 that he be allowed access to his personal physician for medical treatment was not complied with by DSS.
Since the submission of the report, Mamu alleged that the physician had not been allowed to access him and that he needed urgent surgical operations in any hospital in the county as his health had since deteriorated .
He promised regular attendance at the trial in the terrorism charges adding that he can only stand trial when alive.
He pleaded with Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo to vary the remand order against him for a remand at Kuje prison instead of DSS custody.
In a Swift reaction, the federal government counsel, David Kaswe who was billed to respond to Mamu’s request suddenly disappeared in the court room without any excuse or notification .
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The situation forced the court to stand down the proceeding for over one hour but yet the prosecution counsel did not show up.
Justice Ekwo who expressed shock over the attitude of the lawyer to the court ordered that the processes filed by the lawyer against Mamu’s application be deemed adopted.
The Judge subsequently fixed May 20 for ruling on whether to move the defendant out of DSS custody to Kuje prison or not.
Mamu was arrested at the Aminu Kano International Airport upon his arrival from Egypt on September 6, 2022, over his alleged relationship with the terrorists who attacked the Abuja-Kaduna train on March 28, 2022.
The DSS, on March 21, 2023, arraigned him on 10 counts charge of terrorism financing, among others but he pleaded not guilty to the charges
(Editor; Paul Akhagbemhe)
