Rescued Victims Filed Petition Against Tukur Mamu Over Alleged Terrorism — DSS Witness

A Federal High Court in Abuja has heard that several victims rescued from the 2022 Abuja–Kaduna bound train attack lodged written complaints with the Department of State Services (DSS) against alleged terrorist negotiator, Tukur Mamu.

The disclosure was made on Thursday by a DSS operative, who testified as the sixth prosecution witness (PW-6) in Mamu’s ongoing terrorism trial before Justice Mohammed Umar.

While being cross-examined by defence counsel, Johnson Usman, SAN, the witness, who testified behind a screen for security reasons, confirmed that some of the rescued victims, including the wife of the Commandant in Jaji, submitted complaints against the defendant to the DSS.

Asked whether the complaints were oral or written, the witness stated that they were made in writing.

At that point, counsel to the DSS, David Kaswe, urged the court to restrain the defence from asking questions that could reveal the identities of protected victims or witnesses.

However, Usman argued that none of the names mentioned were witnesses before the court, adding that a trial in camera should not prejudice the defendant.

The witness told the court that six victims were interviewed during the investigation and confirmed that none of the interviews was conducted in the presence of Mamu.

PW-6 further stated that he was not a vocologist, having not studied sound at any higher institution. He, however, confirmed that the audio exhibit tendered by the prosecution was an extract from a transcribed conversation between Mamu and the terrorists.

On other aspects of the investigation, the witness disclosed that a former Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor (rtd.), was not interviewed. He confirmed, however, that General Abdulkadir Abubakar was interviewed, though not in the presence of the defendant.

The witness also confirmed that Sheikh Ahmad Gumi was interviewed during the investigation, likewise in Mamu’s absence. He said Major General Idris Garba was not interviewed, while General Jalingo was interviewed, also without the defendant present. He added that Hannafi of Defence Military Intelligence was not interviewed.

Responding to further questions, the witness confirmed that members of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Committee were not brought for interrogation in Mamu’s presence, despite the defendant’s request for a face-to-face interview with them. He said the request was not granted.

PW-6 also confirmed that Mamu told investigators he was a publisher of a newspaper and magazine and that his income was derived from journalism. The witness said the DSS investigated the claim.

Following the cross-examination, Kaswe informed the court that the prosecution intended to close its case to enable the defendant to open his defence.

However, Usman told the court that the defence would rather apply for a date to open its case, stating that they would not file a no-case submission.

“We will not file a no-case submission so that the world can see it and God can see it all,” he said.

Justice Umar thereafter adjourned the matter until April 23 for Mamu to open his defence.