The publisher of Desert Herald and alleged terrorist negotiator, Tukur Mamu, standing trial for terrorism offences has applied to the Federal High Court in Abuja to transfer him out of the custody of the Department of the State Service (DSS).
He pleaded with Justice Inyang Ekwo to vary the remand order against him for a remand at Kuje Prison instead of DSS custody.
At the resumption of his trial, Mamu through his lawyer, Abdul Mohammed, alleged that the order of the court made on December 19, 2023, that he be allowed access to his physician for medical treatment was not complied with by the DSS.
In his motion on notice argued by Mohammed, Mamu claimed that he was allowed access to the physician once during which a report of comprehensive medical examination to be carried out on him was submitted to the DSS.
Since the submission of the report, Mamu alleged that the physician had not been allowed to have access to him and he needed urgent surgical operations in any hospital in the county.
The defendant further claimed that his health had since deteriorated and that he might lose his life any moment if he was not moved out of DSS custody to Kuje prison.
He promised regular attendance at the trial for the terrorism charges adding that he can only stand trial when alive.
The judge subsequently fixed May 20 for the ruling.
On Monday, a Federal High Court, Abuja, warned the Federal Government (FG) against lack of diligent prosecution in the charge filed against former terrorist negotiator, Tukur Mamu.
Justice Inyang Ekwo gave the warning following the disappearance of the FG’s lawyer, David Kaswe, in court prior to the resumed hearing in the case.
Mamu was arraigned, on March 21, 2023, on 10 counts of terrorism financing, among others, but pleaded not guilty to the counts.
Justice Ekwo, on April 27, 2023, declined to admit him to bail on the grounds of ill-health, after the Department of State Service (DSS) opposed the bail application.
However, the judge, on Dec. 19, 2023, granted Mamu’s plea to have access to his own personal physician due to his alleged deteriorating health condition.
Justice Ekwo, in the ruling, ordered that Mamu’s medical doctor should be allowed to treat him subject to the supervision of the DSS’ team of physicians.
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