Tukur Mamu threatens FG with lawsuit over terrorism financing allegation

Tukur Mamu, publisher of Desert Herald, has given the federal government a seven-day ultimatum to retract allegations of terrorism financing against him.

Last week, the federal government named Mamu as one of the suspects involved in terrorism financing in the country.

Mamu was listed among 15 entities, including nine individuals and six Bureau De Change (BDC) operators and firms.

He is currently being tried by the federal government for allegedly aiding the terrorists who attacked the Abuja–Kaduna train in March 2022.

After he was arrested in 2022, the government said it had found $300,000 in his possession. The publisher has denied any allegiance to terrorists.

In a letter through J.J Usman, his lawyer, dated March 25, 2024 and addressed to the attorney-general of the federation (AGF), Mamu said no competent court of law has found him guilty of terrorism financing.

He said upon expiration of the ultimatum, he will seek redress in court.

“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 authorized by your good office,” the letter reads.

“However, the said publication was specifically made by the “Nigerian Sanctions Committee” wherein Our Client was profiled and designated as a “Terrorist (TERRORIST FINANCIER)”.

“As at the time of this missive, no Court of competent jurisdiction in Nigeria has designated Our Client as such. It is a 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 as 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.

“We have no doubt about 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.

“On the basis of 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 this 25th 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 grievances.”