Time to give Tukur Mamu a fair trial, By Jaafar Jaafar

He has been detained within the SSS facility for over two years now, and it can’t be predicted how lengthy he might be stored there with out trial. At this level, it’s acceptable to name on the federal authorities and the brand new DG of SSS to both topic him to truthful and accelerated trial or withdraw the costs towards him and set him free. Mamu deserves no much less.

For the reason that arrest of the writer of Desert Herald newspapers, Tukur Mamu,  in September 2022, there was eerie silence in surprising quarters. The Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Nigerian Guild of Editors (NUJ), Worldwide Press Centre (IPC), civil society organisation, amongst others, have all stored mum over his extended trial and detention, maybe due to the load of the allegations leveled towards him. However why ought to we blink over advocacy for a good trial as espoused within the Common Declaration of Human Rights (UNHR)? Even when Mamu was not a journalist, it’s our duty as journalists to advocate for a good trial.

Mamu was arrested alongside his two wives and one different particular person whereas in transit in Cairo enroute to Saudi Arabia for lesser hajj. Though nothing incriminating was discovered on him, the Interpol extradited him again to Nigeria.

Apparently, the safety brokers had been working with their Nigerian counterparts as a result of, in lower than 24 hours after his arrest, Mamu was bundled again to Nigeria, straight into the ready arms of State Safety Service (SSS) operatives who had already taken positions on the Aminu Kano Worldwide Airport, Kano. From Kano, he was taken straight to Abuja.

For the then Director Normal of SSS, Yusuf Magaji Bichi, it was time to demand a pound of flesh from somebody whose newspaper, Desert Herald, was vital of him. Mamu’s Desert Herald has been vital of Bichi’s repression of vital voices, the opposition politicians, in addition to involvement of his household within the affairs of the service.

Since his arrest, Mamu’s tribulations have taken a flip for the more serious. He’s being held within the SSS underground bunker in Abuja, from the place he’s moved to court docket at intervals to reply some unusual prices of terrorism financing and different associated crimes slapped on him by the federal authorities. Sadly, Nigerian Sanctions Committee, the nationwide physique accountable for the implementation of United Nations Safety Council Resolutions (UNSCRs), had listed Mamu amongst 15 people and bureau de change operators funneling funds to terrorists working in Nigeria. Of the lot, Mamu occurs to be the one identified title.

In response to queries as to what may have prompted his arrest, the SSS stated in an announcement that Mamu was a “particular person of curiosity” who was picked up following “a request by Nigeria’s navy, regulation enforcement and intelligence neighborhood to their overseas companions to convey again Mamu to the nation to reply vital questions on ongoing investigations regarding some safety issues in components of the nation.” The query is why was Mamu not arrested or invited on the level of leaving Nigeria for the lesser hajj in Saudi Arabia?

In the meantime, on the time he was held in Cairo, the SSS stormed his residence and workplace in Kaduna to conduct searches. Nothing incriminating was discovered in the course of the searches, besides a set of navy uniform belonging to his nephew (who’s a serving navy officer). In justifying the tag of terrorism financing held on Mamu’s neck, the Nigerian Monetary Intelligence Unit (NFIU) stated he acquired and delivered ransom funds to the tune of $200,000 to ISWAP terrorists for the discharge of hostages of the Abuja-Kaduna prepare assault, which occurred in March 2022.

Decided to make it possible for the unwholesome and unseemly label of terrorist financier sticks, the federal government accused Mamu of exchanging voice notes regarding the Abuja-Kaduna prepare hostages with one Baba Adamu, who is claimed to be a Boko Haram spokesperson. Mamu has vehemently denied all of the allegations associating him with any allegiance to parts terrorising Nigeria.

To bolster some extent relating to Mamu’s patriotism, he was a part of the Sheikh Ahmad Gumi-led group that traversed the forests and enclaves of kidnappers, bandits and different felony parts to steer them to put down their arms and cease terrorising the folks.

The highest Islamic cleric, who Mamu served as media guide, has additionally been compelled to defend a person he claims to know too effectively. Gumi rightly believes that the Kaduna-based writer doesn’t in any method assist acts of terrorism, and that the issue the Nigerian authorities presently has with Mamu was the end result of a misunderstanding between each events. And the cleric shouldn’t be removed from being right. Mamu is a real patriot who will do nothing to undermine the peace and safety of his nation. That is the fact that his tormentors in authorities are but to return to phrases with.

The misunderstanding that has resulted in his present travails stems from his position as a negotiator for the discharge of the hostages of the prepare assault held by the terrorists. This doesn’t in any method qualify him as an agent of terrorists. Mamu is a media skilled with robust views on points that he’s keen about. A few occasions prior to now he might have had a run-in with governmental authorities with regard to his media work, which is regular, particularly when the person in query is pushed by rules.

True, Mamu was the primary man within the bid to get the hostages launched, however his intention shouldn’t be misunderstood. His involvement within the negotiation for the discharge of the hostages was propelled by nothing however an undiluted sense of humanity. And he did that with the consent of the Nigerian authorities. His was an act of selfless service rendered by a citizen deeply troubled by the extreme nervousness that had enveloped the nation on the time on account of the palpable hazard by which some fellow compatriots discovered themselves within the forest, surrounded by a contingent of well-armed, ruthless terrorists. Furthermore, even Western nations that abhor each side of terrorism had, on some events, paid ransom and engaged native negotiators to safe the discharge of their residents kidnapped by terrorists. Additionally it is a trite undeniable fact that the Nigerian authorities paid ransom to safe the discharge of hostages.

Mamu was trustworthy and forthright in his engagement with the households of the hostages, and he handled the terrorists with the identical evenhanded temperament in his effort to safe freedom for the hostages. Cash exchanged arms within the course of, little question – from the households to Mamu, and on to the abductors. However it could be incorrect to conclude that due to his position because the hyperlink between the households of the hostages and their captors, Mamu is a collaborator or promoter of terrorism in Nigeria or elsewhere.

It solely takes a person of profound affect to play the position Mamu performed within the unlucky hostage drama. What he did was to parlay his connections to mediate between the events concerned to finish the kidnapping. And as an alternative of being made to face prosecution for this, he ought to moderately be recommended.

He has been detained within the SSS facility for over two years now, and it can’t be predicted how lengthy he might be stored there with out trial. At this level, it’s acceptable to name on the federal authorities and the brand new DG of SSS to both topic him to truthful and accelerated trial or withdraw the costs towards him and set him free. Mamu deserves no much less.

Jaafar Jaafar is a UK-based Nigerian journalist.