An investigator with the State Security Service (SSS) on Tuesday told the Federal High Court in Abuja that terrorist kingpin, Shugaba, offered Tukur Mamu a N50 million cut from ransom payments linked to the 2022 Abuja–Kaduna train attack.
The SSS operative, who testified as the sixth prosecution witness in Mamu’s terrorism trial, gave his evidence behind a shield for security reasons. He was led in evidence by the prosecution counsel, David Kaswe.
According to the witness, the terrorist group also asked Mamu to teach them how to create a website for their operations. This emerged from four voice notes played in court, capturing conversations between Mamu and members of the terrorist group while they held passengers of the attacked train hostage.
The recordings were extracted from Mamu’s mobile devices during interrogation after he was arrested in Egypt and repatriated to Nigeria.
“The first voice note was the defendant fixing a date for delivery of ransom,” the witness said.
He added that in another recording, Shugaba praised Mamu’s efforts and asked him to “remove N50 million for your personal use” from a tranche of ransom sent to the group.
In another voice note, the group’s spokesperson, Baba Adamu, requested that Mamu procure speakers and a public-address system for their preaching activities. He also asked Mamu to teach them how to create a website, to which Mamu replied that he would “look into their request.”
Search and Recovery
The witness told the court that Mamu was arrested on 7 September 2022, based on his suspected links with the terrorists behind the March 2022 train attack, which killed at least eight people and left 168 missing.
According to the operative, shortly after Mamu was intercepted in Egypt, he contacted his in-law, Mubarak Tinja, and instructed him to move valuables—including cash and cars—from his house to prevent seizure by security agencies.
Upon Mamu’s return to Nigeria, SSS investigators executed a search warrant on his Kaduna residence and office, recovering cash in local and foreign currencies, as well as several vehicles.
Recovered items included about $300,000 and seven cars: Toyota Camry (Muscle), Peugeot 5008, Lexus, Mercedes E350 and a Hyundai. Vehicle documents were tendered in evidence.
The witness said Mamu handed over a Samsung tablet and two phones to SSS officials. Forensic analysis of the devices produced the voice notes that were played in court.
During interrogation, Mamu allegedly admitted instructing Mubarak to move valuables from his house and acknowledged communicating with the terrorists via voice notes extracted from his devices. He also admitted owning a pump-action gun, though investigators found its licence expired in December 2021.
Victims’ Statements
The witness added that two kidnap victims voluntarily gave written statements recounting their ordeal. They later declined to testify in court due to fear and trauma. Their statements—one in English, one in Hausa—were admitted as exhibits.
The court also admitted eight statements made by Mamu to investigators, as well as video recordings of his interrogation.
Mr Kaswe informed the court that he would file a formal application for the judge to visit the SSS facility where recovered items are stored.
Justice Mohammed Umar adjourned the case to 26 November for continuation of trial.
Charges
The Federal Government accuses Mamu of:
- Receiving a total of $420,000 and N21 million from families of train-attack hostages
- Concealing terrorist-related funds in his Kaduna residence
- Receiving N500,000 on behalf of Boko Haram
- Exchanging voice notes with Boko Haram spokesperson Baba Adamu regarding terrorist activities
The charges were filed by the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF), M. B. Abubakar.
Mamu pleaded not guilty to all charges.
He was arrested by Interpol in Cairo on 7 September 2022 while travelling to Saudi Arabia for Lesser Hajj and was detained at Cairo International Airport before being repatriated to Nigeria. While he was in custody, the SSS raided his Kaduna home and office, claiming they recovered military uniforms and cash.
Mamu, who is also known as the spokesperson for Kaduna cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, was re-arrested upon arrival at Aminu Kano International Airport.
(NAN)
