Tukur Mohammed Mamu, a publisher based in Kaduna, has issued a threat to sue Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, for declaring him a terrorism financier.
He refutes the claims made against him by the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), asserting that he has been wrongly implicated in terrorism financing activities.
The document released by the NFIU alleges Mamu’s involvement in financing terrorism by handling ransom payments exceeding $200,000 US to support ISWAP terrorists in the release of hostages from the Abuja-Kaduna train attack.
In response, Mamu’s legal representative, J.J. Usman (SAN), penned a letter dated March 25, 2024, addressing the CEO of the NFIU. The letter demands a retraction of the defamatory publication within seven days, warning of impending legal action if the request is not met.
He contends that the publication by the Nigerian Sanctions Committee, authorized by the Ministry, labeling him a “terrorist financier,” is unjust and defamatory, violating principles of natural justice.
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“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,” he said.
Mamu is presently facing trial by the Federal Government on allegations of assisting the terrorists responsible for the March 2022 attack on the Abuja-Kaduna train.
In 2022, Mamu was formally charged with ten counts related to terrorism after being apprehended while traveling from Cairo, Egypt to Saudi Arabia.
Upon his arraignment, Mamu entered a plea of not guilty to the charges leveled against him.
