News
Court dismisses ex-terrorist negotiator’s plea for transfer from DSS to corrections custody
A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Monday dismissed the application filed by ex-terrorist negotiator, Tukur Mamu, seeking a transfer from the Department of the State Service (DSS) custody to Kuje Correctional Centre.
Justice Inyang Ekwo, in a ruling, dismissed the application on the ground of insecurity of the custodial facility.
Justice Ekwo held that Mamu did not deny the issue of incessant jailbreak in prisons which was raised by the Federal Government.
The judge further held that any averment that was not controverted was deemed to be true.
“And facts admitted need no further proof,” he added.
He said in arriving at the decision, “the court takes into account the security of the custodial facility, health of the defendant and the type of the allegations contained in the charge sheet.”
“I find that the averments of the complainant (FG) as it concerns jailbreak to be credible.
“I find that this application lacks merit and I make an order dismissing it,” he declared.
The judge, subsequently, ordered Mamu to remain in DSS custody throughout his trial in the alleged terrorism financing charges against him.
Justice Ekwo, however, affirmed his earlier order that Mamu be allowed to have access to his personal physician for medical treatment subject to the supervision of the DSS medical personnel.
“What the court does is to compel compliance. The complainant/respondent cannot be allowed to disobey court orders.
“The complainant is hereby ordered to grant the defendant access to his personal physician,” he said.
The matter was adjourned until June 3, June 4, June 5 and June 6 for continuation of trial.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 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 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.
NAN reports that Mamu, who is standing trial over his alleged relationship with terrorists that were involved in the March 28, 2022 attack on an Abuja-Kaduna-bound train, was arrested on Sept. 6, 2022, by Interpol in Cairo, Egypt, on behalf of the Nigerian government.(NAN)
Another explosion occurred at a pipeline manifold in the Omwawriwa area of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State on Tuesday.
This incident follows a similar explosion that shook the Trans Niger Pipeline, operated by Shell, in Bodo, Gokana Local Government Area just hours earlier.
The latest explosion reportedly took place at a manifold connected to a federal pipeline deep within the forest, which transports crude oil to Brass in Bayelsa State.
While the explosion has not yet been officially confirmed, community sources reported seeing massive flames and thick smoke rising from the oil installation in the forest.
Grace Iringe-Koko, the spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, stated that she would investigate the incident but had not provided a response at the time of this report.
A video obtained by our correspondent displays a large fire burning in a remote location.
In a separate development, Ijaw youths blocked the Ahoada section of the East-West Road leading to Bayelsa State on Tuesday in protest.
The demonstrators, numbering over 100, carried placards in solidarity with Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara amid his political dispute with the state House of Assembly. Some of the placards read: “We demand Wike’s dismissal as FCT Minister” and “Martin Amaewhule and 26 lawmakers have defected and lost their seats.
The House of Representatives on Tuesday passed the four tax reform bills transmitted to the National Assembly in October 2024 by President Bola Tinubu.
Recall that the House had on Thursday last week, considered and approved the report of the House Committee on Finance which made some recommendations, particularly in controversial areas such as the Value Added Tax and inheritance tax.
While awaiting the Senate to similarly pass the bills, the proposed reforms are expected to be transmitted to the President for his assent in the days ahead.
Details shortly…
Two members of the house of representatives have defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Tajudeen Abbas, speaker of the house, announced the defections in a letter read on the floor of the lower legislative chamber on Tuesday.
More to follow…