Abuja Train Attack: FG, Mamu’s Lawyer Clash Over Firearm Licence

A dramatic trade occurred on the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday as legal professionals representing the Federal Government and detained Abuja-Kaduna practice assault negotiator, Tukur Mamu, clashed over a firearm licence allegedly recovered from his residence in the course of the terrorism financing investigation.

Mamu’s lawyer, Johnson Usman, SAN, challenged the prosecution to supply the licence, insisting that its failure to take action raised critical doubts concerning the allegation that his shopper unlawfully possessed a firearm.

But the Federal Government’s lawyer, David Kaswe, countered that the licence and the firearm had already been tendered as reveals earlier than the courtroom.

The disagreement occurred in the course of the adoption of ultimate written addresses in Mamu’s trial, following which Justice Mohammed Umar mounted January 27, 2027, for judgment.

The Federal Government is prosecuting Mamu on a 17-count amended cost bordering on terrorism financing, cash laundering and illegal possession of firearms.

During Monday’s proceedings, Usman instructed the courtroom that the defence had repeatedly requested the prosecution to supply the firearm licence however had allegedly didn’t get hold of it.

Justice Umar interrupted the submission, asking whether or not the defence was referring to an expired licence.

Responding, Usman maintained that the defence’s place was that the licence was nonetheless legitimate on the time of Mamu’s arrest.

He argued that though the prosecution took custody of the firearm and the accompanying licence, its failure to supply the doc had created doubts surrounding the firearms cost.

The senior lawyer mentioned the defence had requested on three events.

“My lord, if my vehicle licence expired and my car is parked at home, the VIO cannot come and arrest me that my licence is expired,” he argued.

However, Kaswe, an Assistant Director showing for the Attorney-General of the Federation, rejected the defence’s argument.

He instructed the courtroom that the prosecution had tendered each the firearm and its licence in the course of the testimony of its fifth witness, an exhibit keeper.

“My Lord, the record of this court will show that we have tendered the licence together with the arms on the day the PW-5, an exhibit keeper, was led on evidence,” he mentioned.

Kaswe added that the courtroom had additionally granted the prosecution’s request for the secure custody of the firearm and different reveals.

Following the trade, each legal professionals adopted their respective ultimate written addresses and urged the courtroom to rule of their favour.

Usman urged the choose to discharge and acquit Mamu, insisting that the Federal Government had didn’t show the allegations towards him.

He mentioned the defence’s ultimate written handle was dated July 22 and filed on July 23, whereas its reply on factors of regulation was filed on October 30.

The prosecution, nonetheless, urged the courtroom to convict Mamu, arguing that it had established the allegations via the proof introduced in the course of the trial.

Kaswe adopted the Federal Government’s ultimate written handle, dated September 18 and filed on September 21.

“We respectfully adopt our written address as our oral submission and argument in proof of the case against the defendant, and we urge my lord to agree with us that we have discharged the burden of proof placed before us and to convict the defendant as charged,” he instructed the courtroom.

The Federal Government accused Mamu of supporting Boko Haram terrorists and interfering with efforts by a committee established by the Chief of Defence Staff to barter the discharge of hostages kidnapped in the course of the March 28, 2022 Abuja-Kaduna practice assault.

In one of many counts, the prosecution alleged that Mamu inspired the terrorist group to boycott the committee’s negotiations to strengthen his place as an middleman in ransom negotiations and funds.

He was additionally accused of receiving $`120,000 from households of victims on behalf of the terrorist group.

Another allegation accused him of exchanging voice-note communications regarding terrorism with Baba Adamu, recognized within the cost as a Boko Haram spokesperson.