You Can’t Declare Mamu Terrorists Financier- Gumi Dares DSS, FG, Fights For His Ally

Controversial Nigerian Islamic cleric, Sheik Ahmad Gumi, has vehemently opposed the Department of State Services (DSS) declaration of his associate, Mallam Tukur Mamu, as a financier of terrorism.

The Federal Government recently unveiled a list of 15 entities of people involved in terrorism financing, which includes nine individuals and six Bureau De Change operators and firms, as disclosed by the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) and shared with journalists.

One of the individuals named on this list is a Kaduna-based publisher, Tukur Mamu.

Mamu has been in the custody of the DSS since his arrest in Cairo, Egypt, in September 2022. He is facing charges for allegedly aiding terrorists who attacked the Abuja-Kaduna train in March 2022. At the time of his apprehension, Mamu was traveling with his family members en route to Saudi Arabia for lesser Hajj.

During a recent X Space event organized by Daily Trust, Sheik Ahmad Gumi emphasized the importance of refraining from granting security agencies the authority to label an individual as a terrorist financier, especially when the matter is already undergoing legal proceedings.

Despite facing charges related to terrorism financing in a Federal High Court in Abuja, Mamu maintains his innocence.

Sheik Gumi underscored the ongoing court proceedings, urging patience and restraint from engaging in media trials.

“Mamu’s case is in court. Let’s wait to hear from the court. It’s wrong to resort to a media trial. Let’s wait for the court to state whether he is a financier or not. I think if he is acquitted, he has a strong case to make on libel.

“Who declares someone a terrorist financer? Is it the court of law or a security agency? The security agency has no right to declare anyone a terrorist financier. The case is already in court, so why are they judging him on the pages of the newspaper? Once a case is in court, you allow the court to decide,” Sheik Gumi emphasized.

Asked to clear his name from Mamu’s case, as some people were already linking him to the controversy, Gumi said, “I am a public figure; many people come to me. The good, the bad, the ugly. As a preacher, I cannot send anybody away, no matter how bad. If you ask, especially pastors, armed robbers come to them and confess but they cannot still take them to the authorities. What I know of Mamu and his arrest is a misunderstanding between him and the committee that was supposed to deal with the release of some victims. But since the case is in court, we hope the court will be just for him.

“That is what we wanted all along; take him to court. Instead of incarcerating someone and levelling phantom allegations against him. Bring your proof, And if Mamu is found guilty, he should have full-fledged punishment. But as of what I know, let’s wait for the court.”