By Kenneth Atavti
At last, the Federal Government on Tuesday at the Federal High Court in Abuja arraigned Kaduna based Islamic Scholar, Tukur Mohammed Mamu on 10- count terrorism charges.
Mamu who has been in the custody of the Department of the State Service DSS since last year was docked before Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo for offences relating to violent attack on Abuja-Kaduna train in which several persons were abducted.
In the charges, the Federal Government accused Mamu of aiding and abetting Boko Haram terrorism attacks against innocent Nigerians.
Among others, he was accused of collecting various sums of money in various currencies on behalf of Boko Haram terrorists from the families of the train attack.
Specifically, Mamu was said to have collected $420, 000 Dollars from families of the attack and another N21M from other set of families of the train attack.
Similarly, Mamu was accused of concealing the terrorism funds in his Kaduna residence in violation of provisions of Terrorism Prevention, Prohibition Act.
However Mamu denied all the changes when read to him in the open court.
Though the Federal Government asked for a date to commence his trial, Mamu’s lawyer, Mohammed Ndanusa moved a motion requesting bail for his client.
Among others, Ndanusa told the court that his client is suffering ailments that required urgent surgical operation.
The request was vehemently opposed by the Federal Government on the ground that all ailments claimed by Mamu can be treated by Medical Doctors with the DSS hospital.
However, after taking arguments for and against the bail request, Justice Ekwo reserved ruling till a date that would be communicated to parties.
The Judge ordered that Mamu remains in the custody of the DSS pending the ruling on the bail application.
Mamu who was moved to the court by a retinue of armed security operatives was taking away to the DSS custody immediately after the arraignment.
